Association between birth defects and the use of agrochemicals in monocultures in the state of Paraná, Brazil

ABSTRACT This article aims to analyse the association between the use of pesticides and congenital malformations in cities with highest exposure to pesticides in the State of Paraná, Brazil, between 1994 and 2014. It is an ecological, quantitative approach study, conducted with live births information (Sinasc/Ministry of Health), generating malformations rates that have taken place in 1994-2003 and 2004-2014. A growing trend in congenital malformation rates was found in the state of Paraná, especially in the cities of Francisco Beltrão and Cascavel. These congenital malformations may be due to exposure of population to pesticides, and a significant signaling in public health problems.