Pesticides meet megadiversity in the expansion of biofuel crops

Author(s)

Schiesari, Luis ^[1] ; Grillitsch, Britta ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Arts Sci & Humanities, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Vet Med Vienna, Dept Biomed Sci, Vienna - Austria

• Document type: Review article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT; v. 9, n. 4, p. 215-221, MAY 2011.
• Web of Science Citations: 26

Abstract

Global interest in biofuels is driving a continuous expansion of agroindustrial production in tropical countries, bringing a substantial share of the world's biodiversity into contact with hundreds of potentially hazardous pesticides. We reviewed the hazards imposed by all 784 pesticides currently registered for use on biofuel crops in Brazil. We detected compounds that have been suspended by international conventions, as well as over 80 compounds included in lists of priority concern for exhibiting environmental persistence and/or having the potential to elicit neurotoxic, reprotoxic, carcinogenic, or endocrine-disrupting effects in humans and wildlife. These chemicals will be used at increased rates, or for the first time, across large expanses of agroindustrially converted pastures and native (ie pristine) habitat in the cerrado (tropical savanna) and Amazonian rainforest biomes. If human and environmental health are to be balanced with productivity to achieve a sustainable agriculture, bolder initiatives on pesticide restriction and control must be implemented in tropical countries. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/57939-9 - Impacts of the expansion of the sugarcane agroindustry on freshwater communities
• Grantee: Luis Cesar Schiesari
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Young Investigators Grants