ESTADO ACTUAL DE LA INVESTIGACIÓN SOBRE PLAGUICIDAS EN MÉXICO

Abstract

This article reports research in the area of use and effects of pesticides in the environment and on human health in Mexico. A total of 394 articles published in the last 20 years in indexed or refereed journals were reviewed. Publications were grouped into 7 main subjects: 1) pesticide use pattern; 2) effects in the environment, 3) ecotoxicological studies; 4) human exposure; 5) residues in food; 6) pesticide toxicology (in vitro and in vivo studies); and 7) biopesticides and bioremediation. The analysis of these publications indicate that Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) are currently used in agricultural areas, also historical and current use had negative effects in terrestrial and coastal ecosystems. Health effects of agricultural workers and their families have been reported, such as hematological and hormonal alterations, genetic damage, behavioral alterations and cellular damage; children are the most vulnerable group of pesticides exposure; genetic, reproductive and nervous damage have been documented in cellular models and laboratory organisms and pesticide residues in milk, produce and grains have been detected. Bioremediation of contaminated soil and water as well as the use of biopesticides were reported as mitigation measures. The main recommendation of this work for the enforcement agencies and decision makers is the implementation of a pesticide registry program (type and volume) used in agriculture practices and disease control vectors, as a starting point in order to accurately measure the environmental and human health impacts that current and historical use of pesticides represent in Mexico.