Costa Rica has declared more than 25% of its terrestrial land to some level of environmental protection as it harbours a rich biodiversity due to its geographical location in Central America. Agricultural activities in Costa Rica are characterized by intensive land use for export crops as well as locally consumed crops and dependence on high inputs of agrochemicals as most crops are produced year round. Most used pesticides are fungicides such as mancozeb, tridemorph and chlorothalonil, which are applied to the important export crop: banana, with annually up to 50 aerial fungicide applications. Pineapple is also an important export crop, characterized by the use of herbicides like ametryn, diuron, hexazinone and bromacil. Assessment of environmental, occupational, and dietary exposures to pesticides has not been done on large scales in Costa Rica and is not a political issue. However pesticide exposure can occur in villages surrounded by plantations and can eventually lead to potential health risks in the local population. Risk assessment and management based on exposure circumstances are limited in Costa Rica as in other developing countries. Our institute focuses on the study of the potential environmental and health impact of pesticide use under tropical conditions. Better understanding of the factors that contribute to environmental dispersion of pesticides to aquatic ecosystems, ground water and air on a local and regional scale is necessary in this process. Data on pesticide use, and its presence in environmental compartments (air, surface and ground water) under different settings will be presented.

Agricultural pesticide use and environmental and human risks in a tropical setting: Costa Rica

248th National Meeting (2014)

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