EFEITO DOS ORGANOFOSFORADOS NA SAÚDE HUMANA: UM ESTUDO DE REVISÃO

Abstract

Modern agriculture in Brazil relies heavily on pesticides to ensure high productivity, raising concerns about the impacts of these products on human health and the environment. Organophosphate compounds, widely used as insecticides, are particularly toxic and can cause everything from acute effects to chronic diseases, such as cognitive and cardiac damage, mainly affecting rural workers and neighboring communities. They act by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, resulting in the accumulation of acetylcholine and nerve hyperstimulation, which causes muscle paralysis and other serious symptoms. In addition to the direct effects on human health, organophosphates accumulate in the environment and persist depending on factors such as temperature and soil and water acidity. Although regulations, such as Decree 10.833 of 2021, exist to control their use, Brazil still faces high rates of poisoning, especially among vulnerable populations, such as children and pregnant women. Studies show that exposure to these pesticides is associated with neurological disorders, including ADHD, autism, and intelligence quotient (IQ. Globally, 80% to 85% of cancer cases are linked to exposure to chemical, physical, or biological agents, including organophosphates, which, although effective in controlling pests, are highly harmful to human and environmental health. Given the growing evidence of their adverse effects, it is urgent to improve public health and safety policies related to the use of these pesticides.

KEYWORD: Pesticides, organophosphates, poisoning, human health, acetylcholinesterase, ADHD, autism, intelligence quotient (IQ).