A study conducted by researchers from Campinas State University (UNICAMP) revealed a worrying fact about the quality of rain water in Brazil. The research analyzed samples in three different cities in the state of Sao Paulo and identified the presence of many pesticides used in agriculture.
The study was conducted in Sao Paulo, Campinas and Berwas, cities with different levels of urbanization and land use. In all three sites, pesticides were discovered in rain water, with levels that differ according to the proximity of rural areas where these products are applied.
Wide dispersion and pollution
The research showed that there is a great dispersal of pesticides, until reaching areas that are not subject to direct spraying, such as the city of São Paulo. This is because, after applying in crops, drink pesticides from the soil, and polluted molecules are brought by wind to the high atmosphere. When it rains, these particles are withdrawn with water, highlighting the areas far from the original application site.
Of the 15 verified pesticides, the arrangement was the most common. It is important to emphasize that many of these pesticides are prohibited in the European Union due to their ability to pollution and the risk of causing serious illness, such as cancer.
Health and environmental risks
The presence of these pollutants in rainwater is a threat not only to human health, but also to wildlife in healthy areas and water supplies. Traditional water treatment of human consumption usually does not usually remove this specified type of pollutants, which may lead to a long time being exposed to the population.
In addition, many of these pesticides have a cumulative effect, accumulating in the fatty tissues over the years, which may lead to serious health problems in the future. The situation is exacerbated by increasing the use of drones in spraying, which, despite the regulation, increases the risk of wind dispersion.
This study acts as an important warning for the authorities and society on the need to reassess current agricultural practices and implement tougher monitoring measures in the use of pesticides, with the aim of protecting public health and the environment.
