During the last 30 years, the increase of the human population in the Amazon introduced the need for additional food production and caused the state government to implement programs to increase and improve agricultural production. The production of nontraditional crops introduced several problems unknown to traditional farmers, since they are not well adapted to tropical conditions. Their susceptibility to insects, fungi and other plagues, and the competition with native vegetation forced farmers to use pesticides intensively. Amazonian farmers were not adequately prepared for the use of this new technology and they ignored the risk of pesticides to human health and the environment. Farmers do not use protective clothing or equipment because they are expensive and not suitable for a tropical climate in which they prove to be very uncomfortable. The lack in training and poor knowledge of pesticide hazards contribute to careless handling during preparation, application and disposal of empty packages. Under such circumstances, exposure of farmers, their families, consumers and the environment is high. As a first step to solve this problem, an integrated risk assessment is proposed. The three stages of the process, problem formulation, exposure assessment, and risk characterization are explained. Training and information programs are part of the strategies risk-reduction in order to build up environmentally sustainable agriculture.
Pesticides; Integrated Risk Assessment; Amazon
