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Introduction
Agrochemicals are a broad group of products applied in agriculture to protect crops from fungal or insect attacks or weed competition. They offer advantages to agricultural production as they target specific pests. However, it is essential that the residues of agrochemicals in food from these crops remain below the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) established by responsible authorities in each country to be considered safe for consumption [1, 2]. Despite efforts to control agrochemical residues, a significant number of crop samples contain levels above the MRLs, leading to potential continuous exposure for consumers of such foods [3, 4]. The effects of agrochemical exposure are still challenging to interpret due to interfering factors, such as the short half-life and rapid excretion of some compounds [5], as well as variations in lifestyle [6] or dietary habits [7].
The main groups of agrochemicals studied are herbicides, fungicides, and pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides. Many studies have identified pregnant women and newborns as vulnerable populations [8, 9–10]. However, some effects have also been observed in other individuals, such as neurological, respiratory, dermatological, digestive, and carcinogenic effects [11, 12]. Additionally, exposure to large quantities of agrochemicals has been documented that show their impact on the endocrine system [13], causing reproductive problems and adverse developmental effects, as well as resulting in metabolic disorders [14].
Exposure to agrochemicals can vary among populations in countries around the world, particularly between developed and developing nations [15, 16]. Brazil is currently the world leader in producing plant-based foods for human and animal consumption [17]. As a result, more than 2300 formulations of agrochemicals are commercialized, including those banned in the European Union. Acephate is an example of an agrochemical banned by the European Union in 2002 due to concerns about acute exposure in humans and animals [18]. Furthermore, there are records of agrochemical formulations with the same active substances classified at different levels of hazard by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), the health agency responsible for promoting population health protection [19].
An alternative to the conventional food production model is the consumption of organic products. The use of synthetic pesticides is prohibited in the production of foods certified as organic, and the US Food Monitoring has confirmed that organically grown foods generally contain fewer pesticide...