Indigenous territories of the Brazilian Amazon facing agribusiness expansion: a pesticide exposure susceptibility index based on Census data

Abstract

The expansion of the agribusiness sector, mostly fueled by the international demand for agricultural commodities, is strongly associated with increasing pesticide applications. In Brazil, deforestation and land conflicts are also critical issues that have followed the agricultural frontier expansion. In this scenario, indigenous peoples and their territories are often found in a vulnerable position. Their reliance on natural resources, i.e., waterbodies potentially impacted by pesticides, can lead to chronical exposure and health impacts. Therefore, to evaluate the vulnerability of indigenous communities related to pesticide exposure, we developed an index of pesticide exposure susceptibility, based on data provided by the Census of Agriculture 2017, and applied it to the municipalities in the Brazilian Legal Amazon. Selected variables that are directly or indirectly related to the intensity of pesticide application were processed using GIS, generating a map that compiles agricultural areas classified according to the index values along with the limits of indigenous territories, and the hydrographic network for the study area. The final output allowed a clear visualization of the index gradients across the territory and the identification of priority areas for further in situ studies. This represents a useful management tool for indigenous and environmental health surveillance.

Keywords

• Agrochemicals
• Large-scale agriculture
• Chronic exposure
• Indigenous health
• Pesticide contamination
• Geospatial index