Pesticide Contamination in Land Reform Settlements in Brazil： Empirical Evidences from Caiaponia, Goias State

Brazil is the largest consumer of pesticides worldwide. Public health studies in Brazil show that inadequate use of pesticides increases the incidence of accidents and contamination of poor rural communities. This study sought to identify factors that determine the occurrence of problems with pesticides in a typical Brazilian land reform settlement. The study was carried out in Caiaponia, Goias state. In the empirical analysis, the econometric model pro bit was used. The dependent variable was the existence of health problems in the family setting that are caused by pesticides. The independent variables were the family size; the attendance to any church, whether Catholic or Protestant; if farmers received any technical assistance; the current health condition of the family, and if there are exacerbated erosion problems on the farm. Data from 28 farmers were collected through a structured questionnaire. Among the main findings, larger families have a higher probability of accidents involving pesticides. The cu