Chilean Schoolchildren Poisoned by Pesticide Drift, Report Finds
An alarming new report reveals a worrying trend in Chile: schoolchildren are falling ill due to pesticide drift from nearby agricultural fields.
In 2023 alone, 654 cases of acute pesticide poisoning were confirmed across the country. Shockingly, more than half of these incidents occurred in educational institutions, including nurseries, with the majority of cases concentrated in the O’Higgins, Maule, and Metropolitana regions.
“In non-occupational accidental events, which often occur in teaching places and in nurseries, among the methods they have created are which came from the cloud of poisons from agricultural buildings where pesticides are used towards the institution, because of their proximity and lack of barriers,” according to the Ministry of Health’s report.
Highly Dangerous Pesticides Used in Chile
Among the most prevalent pesticides implicated in these poisoning incidents are cypermethrin, alpha cypermethrin, and lamdacyhalothrin.
These substances, classified as “highly hazardous pesticides” internationally by PAN International, pose severe, persistent, and environmental threats. Despite this, Chilean regulations consider them only “moderately dangerous” due to focusing exclusively on immediate toxic effects. This discrepancy leaves children vulnerable to long-term health consequences, as these poisons lack specific antidotes for medical intervention.
Pesticide Contamination Beyond Schools: A Dire Situation
The problem extends beyond schools. A Fondecyt study, "Agriculture and the reproduction of socio-ecological inequalities in the context of water crisis: An analysis of agro-export expansion in the Central Valley of Chile," found alarming levels of diuron and fosetyl-Al contaminating rivers in the Maule and Ñuble regions.
Action Demanded
In response to these findings, the Pesticide Action Network (RAP-Chile) is urging authorities to take decisive action:
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Ban dangerous pesticides: Immediately eliminate the registration of highly hazardous pesticides (PAPs) such as cypermethrin, alpha cypermethrin, and lamdacyhalothrin.
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Re-evaluate pesticide labeling: Include the long-term, chronic effects of pesticides on labels to give consumers and health professionals a comprehensive understanding of their dangers.
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Strengthen water quality standards: Establish and enforce primary and secondary water quality standards that specifically address registered pesticides, particularly PAPs.
- Promote organic agriculture: Implement strong measures to encourage and support the transition to organic farming practices, reducing reliance on harmful chemical pesticides.
As RAP-Chile states, "We stand for a world without pesticides. Every human deserves access to safe and sustainable food, and children, especially, need protection from these toxic substances."
