# Potential Risks to Human Health Caused by the Use of Pesticides in Soils of Three Municipalities Impacted by Localized Malaria in the Brazilian Amazon

## TL;DR

This study found that pesticides like DDT and alphacypermethrin in Amazonian soils pose significant human health risks, especially through food, despite not harming the environment much.

## Contribution

The study quantifies human health risks from pesticide residues in soils in malaria-impacted Amazonian regions.

## Key findings

- DDT and alphacypermethrin were detected in soils, with DDT showing slow degradation.
- Alphacypermethrin levels in Porto Velho suggest possible misuse of LLINs.
- Human health risks, including cancer and non-carcinogenic effects, were found to be high.

## Abstract

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), used in the 20th century to combat malaria, is considered harmful to health and the environment. As an alternative, insecticides such as pyrethroids have been used, especially alphacypermethrin, which is applied in mosquito nets impregnated with long-lasting insecticide (LLIN). This study analyzed the concentrations of DDT and alphacypermethrin in soils from three municipalities in the Legal Amazon (Mazagão, Porto Velho, and Cantá) using gas chromatography. The results showed the presence of DDT and metabolites, indicating slow degradation in the region, especially in Cantá, with an average of 2.694 mg/kg of total DDT. Alphacypermethrin stands out in Porto Velho, with an average of 0.364 mg/kg, possibly due to the use of LLINs. DDT did not represent a significant ecological risk in this study, but it did present risks to human health, mainly through food intake. The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) indicated potential danger, with values of up to 2.93 × 10−3 for DDT and 1.17 × 10−1 for alphacypermethrin. The total non-carcinogenic risk index (HI) was extreme, with a maximum value of 336.61. The pesticides evaluated did not present an ecological risk, but they do pose risks to human health, indicating irregular use of LLINs and the need for continuous monitoring.