A report from the Public Ministry of Santa Catarina indicated that 52% of the state's municipalities have traces of pesticides in their drinking water, raising concerns about long-term health risks despite being within legal limits.
A recent report by the Public Ministry of Santa Catarina revealed that 52% of municipalities in the state have detectable traces of agricultural pesticides in their drinking water. The study analyzed samples from 155 of the 295 municipalities and found evidence of 42 different agricultural chemicals present in the treated water. Although all detected concentrations were below the maximum allowable limits set by the Ministry of Health, the prevalence of such chemicals raises alarms about potential health hazards.
The report notably highlighted concerns regarding chronic exposure to these pesticides, which can lead to serious health issues, including various types of cancers, endocrine disruption, and damage to the kidneys and liver. Among the detected substances, the herbicide 2,4-D was the most commonly found, appearing in 81 municipalities. Alarmingly, five of the pesticides identified are banned in Brazil, including benomyl and carbofuran, prompting further inquiries into their presence despite legal status.
Particular cities reported high levels of contamination with banned products, including Balneário Camboriú and Rancho Queimado, leading the Public Ministry to advocate for stricter regulations and monitoring of water quality. This situation underscores the pressing need for enhanced agricultural practices and better pesticide management in Brazil to ensure public health and environmental safety.
