Pesticides, Pollution, and People: An overview of Public Health and Environment in Costa Rica

Katherine Araya

UNA BS Candidate 2015

Bianca Lherisson

UF Law JD Candidate 2015

Jennifer Lomberk

UF Law JD Candidate 2016

Faculty Supervisor: Franklin Paniagua

Research Assistant: Katherine Arroyo

Overview

Introduction Overview of the Health Care System Connection between Environment and Health Specific topics:

• Pesticides

• Water Quality and Wastewater Management

• Indigenous Peoples in Costa Rica

Conclusion and Recommendations

Overview of the Health Care SystemHistory

1820s

• Independence from Spain• Part of the Central American Federation

1850s

• First Hospital: Hospital San Juan de Dios• Protomedicato- Public Health consulting body

1870s

• Junta de Proteccion Social de San Jose

History

1930s

• Ministry of Health• Private Clinics and Charity Hospitals are created

1940s

• Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS)• First hospital of the Social Security- Hospital Central

1980s

• Ministry of Health: regulatory health promotion• CCSS facilities for diagnosis, treatment, and rehab

Result of Healthcare Reform

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000

Por mil habitantes

Tasa de Mortalidad

Tasa de Natalidad

Result of Healthcare Reform

Connection between Environment and Health

Environment and health are closely related

In recent years so many people and nations have “gone green”.

Communicable and non-communicable diseases, malnutrition, mental illness, and lack of access to basic healthcare services cause millions of deaths annually in low-income countries like Costa Rica

Substantial global progress has been applied over the last several decades on a number of public health issues

The public health community is increasingly concerned about the impacts of extreme weather, climate change, and natural disasters on vulnerable communities

In the last 60 years, there have been significant changes in the climate and in the frequency of extreme weather events

Health & Environmental Effects of Pesticide Use in Costa Rica Largest Pesticide Usage Per Agricultural Land in the World Dissemination and Exposure Human Health Effects

Endocrine Disruption Cancer Sterilization Pesticide Poisoning

Affects Both Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems

Eutrophication and Fish Kills

Reproductive and Developmental Defects

Bioaccumulation

Land Sterilization and Pest Resistance

Current Pesticide Legislation

National Pesticide Commission

Rotterdam Convention

Water Quality and Wastewater Management in Costa Rica

Various international policy forums have been developed

Costa Rica drinking water and sanitation

AyA - 49%, ASADAS - 27%, 28 Municipalities and District Council - 15%.

There is a study conducted by Darner Mora regarding the streams health quality to determine the sanitary quality of streams and / or rivers flowing in the Costa Rican coastline.

Technical Committee of Regulation of Discharge and Reuse Wastewater:

Minister of Public Health

MINAE

MAG

AyA

National Council of Rectors

Federated College of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica

Chemical Association of Costa Rica

Costa Rican Association of water resources and sanitation

Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of private enterprise

National Chamber of Agriculture and Agribusiness

Costa Rican Federation for environmental conservation

School of Biologists Costa Rica

Association of Clinical Microbiologists of Costa Rica

Indigenous Peoples of Costa Rica

Indigenous Peoples

Guatusos or Malekus

Chorotegas

Huestares

Cabecares

Bribri

Térrabas (Teribes)

Borucas

Guaymíes or Ngöbe

Guaymies or Ngöbe Immigrated from Panama

Coto Brus

La Casona EBAIS

La Casona EBAIS

Serves 3,000 people

1,700 indigenous people

1,300 non-indigenous

Health Team

1 Doctor

1 Medical Technician

1 nurse

1 Primary Health Assistant 

Conclusions and Recommendations Regarding Health Care System Focus on the needs of the marginalized populations

Implement services to monitor the effectiveness of healthcare programs directed at indigenous communities

Create emergency care locations closer to indigenous territories

Reforming healthcare policies regarding EBAIS Doctor’s ability to provide patients with medication and not just prescriptions.

Put in place a team to conduct medical surveys of the indigenous

Regarding Pesticides

Stricter Standards on Pesticide Companies

Delegation of Specific Enforcement Functions to Certain Agencies

Secure Funding to Ensure Support of Education and Enforcement Mechanisms

Implement Incentive Programs for Integrated Pest Management Practices

Supplemental Compensation

Crop Rotation

Natural Predation

Cover Crops

Regarding Wastewater Management

It is essential to continue and enhance the protection of the water fountains located throughout the country.

Different actors, including the AyA, by the management of water and wastewater treatment should apply greater willingness, to gradually and sustainably achieve the objectives in their programs and thus ensure safe drinking water to the population in general and minimize environmental damage directly or indirectly affecting the health of people.

Special Thanks To UF

OTS

Professor Ankersen

Professor Hamann

Professor Paniagua

Katherine Arroyo

Shirley Sanchez