Food and nutrition security: pesticide residues in food

Abstract

The article aims to present an overview of pesticide usage and population exposure, focusing on the impact on health and the correlation with food and nutrition security (FNS). This review is relevant due to the extensive use of pesticides in food production, which exposes individuals in various ways, including the ingestion of contaminated food, with adverse health effects. Brazil is one of the largest consumers of pesticides in the world, with product sale growth above 200% from 2000 to 2013, increasing the predisposition of the population and environment to the impacts caused by these compounds. The country has weaknesses regarding the monitoring of pesticide usage, besides its vulnerable population affected by social and economic problems. Studies on the correlation between pesticides and diseases have shown potential health risks, including birth defects, hearing loss, cancer, and infertility, in addition to symptoms related to acute intoxication, such as weakness, vomiting, seizures, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, and nosebleed, among others. Reduction policies in pesticide usage and the encouragement for the sustainable agricultural practices should be prioritized by public managers. It is also essential to improve the monitoring and surveillance programs and research on the topic, as well as training of health professionals to identify and report the cases of pesticide poisoning.

Effects of the Entomopathogenic Fungus Metarhizium anisopliae on the Mortality and Immune Response of Locusta migratoria

“…Currently, chemical insecticides are commonly used for insect pest control [10]. However, the misuse of such insecticides has caused destructive damage to the environment and human health [11,12]. The side effects on nontargets and the resurgence of insect pests have received much attention, and consequently, there is a growing trend to reduce the use of these chemical insecticides [13].…”

Heterogeneous photodegradation of Pyrimethanil and its commercial formulation with TiO2 immobilized on SiC foams

“…The use of chemical pesticides since half a century has allowed a spectacular increase in crop yield and the development of intensive farming. The aftermath of the intensive use of pesticides is a widespread contamination of the environment, the emergence of pest resistance to these products, the presence of pesticides residues in food, and the negative effects on human and wildlife health [1]. Vine is one of the crops undergoing the most pesticide treatment.…”

Evaluation of Isolates of Entomopathogenic Fungi in the Genera Metarhizium,Beauveria, and Isaria, and Their Virulence to Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae)

“…Whereas the chemical control of T. peregrinus has been used effectively in small areas (Noack et al 2009), chemical insecticide residues remain in the soil and groundwater and some products so used are harmful to human or animal health (Gerage et al 2017). Biological control, especially the use of entomopathogenic fungi, is a promising alternative for controlling several pests of eucalyptus, but remains little used for T. peregrinus.…”