Pesticide use and economic impacts on health.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the externalities associated with acute poisoning from pesticides.


METHODS
The probabilities of acute poisoning were estimated according to characteristics of rural properties and cities in the state of Paraná, Southern Brazil. Information about acute poisoning obtained from the 1998-1999 Harvest Forecast Survey was used. The expected costs with poisoning in these properties were calculated from the sum of medical-hospital expenses and days spent on sick leaves, required for the recovery of intoxicated individuals. A multilevel model was constructed for the analysis.


RESULTS
The costs associated with acute poisoning can total up to US$ 149 million for the state of Paraná, i.e. for each dollar spent to purchase pesticides in this state, approximately US$ 1.28 may be spent with the external costs of poisoning. This situation could be changed with the implementation of public policies, such as the adoption of an organic agriculture promotion program in the cities where the social cost with acute poisoning could be reduced by approximately US$ 25 million.


CONCLUSIONS
Society, especially the populations mainly affected by pesticides, could be benefited by the identification and elimination of the risks of acute intoxication associated with the current model. It is necessary to implement public policies and integrated actions that involve the fields of economics, public health, agronomy, environmental issues, education, and science and technology, among others.
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. wagner.soares@ibge.gov.br
Wagner Lopes
WL
Soares
Marcelo Firpo de Souza
MF
Porto
D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000191:economics*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D055361:Multilevel Analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D010575:Pesticides / Q000191:economics* / Q000506:poisoning*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health
D010575:Pesticides