Environmental Epidemiology for Action: Analysis of Cancer Mortality, Exogenous Poisoning in a Municipality with Mining and Agrotoxics in Brazil

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Brazil has about 98% of niobium deposits in the world. It is also the main consumer of pesticides in the world. Goiás (GO) is a Brazilian state with a population of 7 million inhabitants. GO is the third largest Brazilian mineral producer, the main producer of asbestos and nickel, a major producer of phosphate rock, niobium and gold. Catalão (CT) is a municipality in the state of GO, with 100 thousand inhabitants. Mining is an important factor in the economy of CT. One of the metals explored is niobium. CT has a profile aimed at agriculture and pesticides are widely used, substances in human drinking water have been identified such as: DDT, Atrazine, Aldrin, 2,4D. Given this environmental situation, it is essential to know the health profile of the population, using environmental epidemiology. AIM: to analyze data on cancer mortality and exogenous intoxications in the municipality of Catalão METHODS: Descriptive study. Data were collected at the Brazilian Institute of Geography IBGE and data Ministry of Health. Period: 2010 to 2019 RESULTS:Mortality rates for general cancer in CT were similar to GO. They were differentiated in the 30 - 39 yo group in CT, they were 30% higher than the GO. Mortality from liver cancer in CT for the age group 30 to 39 yo: 1.18 / 100.000, while in GO they were 0.52 / 100.000. About exogenous intoxications: in GO, 57% of the 9,391 cases occurred in the black population. When analyzed by pesticides, 65% were in the black population. In CT, 28% were registered as work-related, 66% of metal poisonings occurred in children up to 9 yo CONCLUSIONS:In view of the various environmental factors existing in the municipality, environmental epidemiology is a fundamental tool to guide specific analyzes and studies with this population, aiming at the implementation of public policy. KEYWORDS: Pesticides, Chemical exposures, Water quality, Policy and practice, Mortality, Children's environmental health