Assessment of pesticide contamination in Cidade Dos Meninos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, using Regional Screening Levels (RSL)

Abstract

In the mid-20th century, the Malaria Institute in Brazil researched hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and other organochlorines in Cidade dos Meninos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After Malaria Institute closure, there was a 200-ton stock of chemicals compounds abandoned without any surveillance, which led to massive contamination of the nearby community by carcinogenic organochlorines. This article presents a new review of the Cidade dos Meninos’ case, analyzing the HCH and DDT contamination using a Haddon Matrix and Regional Screening Levels (RSL).