Deaths and Poisoning by Agrotoxins in Brazilian States among children under one year and 14 years old. Period 2010 to 2017.

Abstract

Brazil, the world's largest consumer of pesticides. The consequences of this sad reality are disastrous for the population, for the environment, for water contamination, especially for the health of children, whether they live in rural or urban areas. Objective: to analyze pesticide deaths and poisoning among children aged 0 to 14 yo in the Brazilian States (BS). Method: Descriptive cross-sectional study based on data from the Ministry of Health / DATASUS, between 2010 and 2017, by BS and Distrito Federal. Results: 2010 to 2017, 13,420 pesticide poisonings were reported in Brazil, among children 0 to 14 yo.. 82.7% lived in urban areas and 13.9% in rural areas. 50.8% women, 149 cases of intoxications evolved to deaths from poisoning and 280 deaths from other causes or cures with sequelae. The BS with the highest numbers of poisoning notifications were São Paulo (17.2%), Paraná (13.3%), Minas Gerais (13.1%), Pernambuco (9.5) and Goiás (6.1%) . The BS with the highest numbers of deaths were in Pernambuco (21.5%), Ceará (11.4%), Minas Gerais (9.4%) São Paulo (6.7%) and Bahia (6.7%) . Regarding color / ethnicity, black / brown children are the majority, representing 39.5% of the victims; white, 35.7%; 23.6% are ignored, yellow (0.6% and indigenous (0.6%). The Capitals with the highest numbers of intoxications were São Paulo (17.8%), Brasília (9.7%), Salvador (9 , 1%), Recife (8.8%), Curitiba (8.4%) and Fortaleza (7.7%). The consequences of this State policy, only tends to get worse. In 2019, 474 pesticides were released in Brazil .Conclusion: Brazilian children, since very early, are the biggest victims of the impacts of the use and consumption of pesticides in Brazil, an irresponsible and criminal act. The biggest victims of this practice, of consumption, are not in the countryside as imagined, but reside in cities.