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.

摘要 本研究旨在分析1994年至2014年间，巴西巴拉那州（Paraná）农药暴露程度最高的城市中，农药使用与先天性畸形之间的关联。本研究为生态学定量研究，活产儿数据取自巴西卫生部下属的出生登记系统（Sinasc），据此计算了1994-2003年及2004-2014年的先天性畸形发生率。研究发现巴拉那州的先天性畸形发生率呈上升趋势，其中弗朗西斯科贝尔特朗（Francisco Beltrão）和卡斯卡韦尔（Cascavel）两市尤为显著。上述先天性畸形或与人群农药暴露相关，该现象亦为公共卫生领域的重要警示信号。