Journal Article

Mapping Potential Population‐Level Pesticide Exposures in Ecuador Using a Modular and Scalable Geospatial Strategy

Bosch, Matilda, Andrade‐Rivas, Federico, Spiegel, Jerry, Paul, Naman, Echeverri, Alejandra, Delgado‐Ron, Jorge Andrés, Henderson, Sarah B., Parrott, Lael

2023

Overview

Human populations and ecosystems are extensively exposed to pesticides. Most nations lack the capacity to control pesticide contamination and have limited availability of pesticide use information. Ecuador is a country with intense pesticide use with high exposure risks to humans and the environment, although relative or combined risks are not well understood. Here, we analyzed the distribution of application rates in Ecuador and identified regions of concern because of high potential exposure. We used a geospatial analysis to identify grid cells (∼8 km × 8 km) where the highest pesticide application rates and density of human populations overlap. Furthermore, we identified other regions of concern based on the number of amphibian species as an indicator of ecosystem integrity and the location of natural protected areas. We found that 28% of Ecuador's population dwelled in areas with high pesticide application rate. We identified an area of ∼512 km2 in the Amazon region where high application rates, large human settlements, and a high number of amphibian species overlapped. Additionally, we distinguished clusters of pesticide application rates and human populations that intersected with natural protected areas. Ecuador exemplifies how pesticides are disproportionately applied in areas with the potential to affect human health and ecosystems' integrity. Global estimates of population dwelling, pesticide application rates, and environmental factors are key in prioritizing locations to conduct further exposure assessments. The modular and scalable nature of the geospatial tools we developed can be expanded and adapted to other regions of the world where data on pesticide use are limited. Plain Language Summary Pesticide exposures are a concerning issue that threatens ecosystem integrity and human health. However, most countries cannot assess, monitor, and control pesticide contamination. We studied this threat in Ecuador, a country with one of the highest application rates of pesticides worldwide, an export‐bound agricultural industry, a large population at risk, remarkable biodiversity, and a limited understanding of the nationwide extent of pesticide contamination. We assessed the geographic distribution of pesticide application rates and identified regions where the potential risk of exposure to human populations and ecosystems requires detailed exposure assessments. Using publicly available global data sets that locate human populations, biodiversity, natural parks, and pesticide use rates, we mapped areas where high levels of pesticide use and high density of human population overlap. We also assessed areas where natural parks and amphibian species may be threatened. Around 28% of Ecuador’s population lived in areas with a high pesticide application rate. We found widespread intensive use of pesticides in Ecuador in regions that overlap with human populations and ecosystems at risk of exposure. The methods developed relied on open‐source software and publicly available data. Thus, our approach can be applied to other regions where data on pesticide use are limited. Key Points Close to 30% of the population in Ecuador lives in areas with high pesticide application rates High pesticide use areas create risks for human populations, biodiversity and protected ecosystems within national parks The accessible, modular, and scalable methods developed facilitate reproducing population‐level assessments across the world

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,John Wiley and Sons Inc,American Geophysical Union (AGU)
• Subject: Agricultural production / Agriculture / agrochemicals / Biodiversity / Chemical contaminants / Crop diseases / Crops / ecosystem / Ecosystem integrity / Ecosystems / Environmental factors / Environmental Persistence of Herbicides and Pesticides / environmental pollution / Estimates / Geohealth / Geospatial Data Applications for Environmental Justice / Human populations / Human settlements / Impacts of Climate Change: Agricultural Health / Impacts of Climate Change: Ecosystem Health / Impacts of Climate Change: Human Health / Pesticide application / Pesticide pollution / Pesticides / Poisoning / Pollution control / Population density / population health / Protected areas / Public Health / spatial analysis