Risk assessment of herbicides compared to other pesticides in Brazil

Abstract

The use of herbicides is essential to preserve the productivity and efficiency of crops in land use and growth factors. The general public has questioned the use of herbicides and pesticides, even when used rationally and following the procedures approved by regulatory agencies. It is essential to present accurate information about these products’ use and the risk associated with this use in this context. The mean dose and the Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ) continuously decreased as a function of the year of release of new active ingredients with herbicidal action in Brazil, which indicates that the new products are more efficient and present lower risks to the environment, farmworkers and consumers. The mean EIQ for each herbicide application in soybean, maize, sugarcane, and cotton has decreased in Brazil. The proportion of herbicides in the number of applications has decreased compared to other classes of pesticides, except for cotton. The risk of products decreased over time, with continuous reductions in EIQ values per unit of the treated area; the EIQ values determined per production remained stable despite the increased complexity of pest management, which caused an increase in the number of applications.