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Positive correlation between pesticide sales and central nervous system and cardiovascular congenital abnormalities in Brazil

Abstract Background: This study investigated the association between pesticide exposure in Brazil (2005–2013) with rates of central nervous system (CNS) and cardiovascular system (CVS) congenital abnormalities in 2014. Method: An exposure variable was established from data on production and sales of pesticides (kg) per crop area (ha) for 2012 and 2013 years. The Brazilian states were divided into three categories: high, medium, and low pesticide use and rate ratios were estimated for each group of states (CI: 95 %). Results: In 2013 and 2014, the high use group presented a 100 and a 75 % increase, and the medium group a 65 and 23 % increase, respectively, in the risk of CNS and CVS congenital abnormalities at birth, compared to the low use group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that pesticide exposure could be associated with increased risk of congenital malformations at birth in Brazil.