Overview of the pesticide contamination provided by the last Brazilian water quality surveillance information system for human consumption (SISÁGUA 2022) report

Abstract

The Water Quality Surveillance Information System for Human Consumption (SISÁGUA) is designed to manage the risks of water contamination for human consumption. This short communication focuses on data from the 2022 Report regarding pesticide analysis. The data centers on 27 active pesticide ingredients found in drinking water samples exceeding the maximum residual limits (MRLs) established by Brazilian legislation. Results indicate that 1609 municipalities (60 %) found at least one pesticide in their water. Two hundred ten municipalities detected all 27 pesticides tested, with 11 of these pesticides reported to have some carcinogenic potential. Nearly one and a half million people were exposed to levels above the Brazilian MRL, with the sum of maximum detected residues exceeding 80,000 ppb. Additionally, the report highlights that 53 % of Brazilian municipalities did not submit water monitoring data for human consumption. Thus, improving and expanding the scope of water analysis within the SISÁGUA framework is essential.

Keywords: Cancer risk assessment; Drinking water; Pesticides; SISÁGUA report.