Fires in sugarcane cultivation and associated respiratory diseases in a municipality in Pernambuco

Abstract

Sugarcane holds a central position in Brazilian agribusiness. Its pre-harvest burning has been a long-standing practice in Pernambuco, exacerbating public health issues. This ecological time-series study analyzed the relationship between regular sugarcane burning and hospitalizations for respiratory diseases in Escada, Pernambuco, Brazil. Hospitalization rates among children under five and adults over sixty were compared, along with correlations involving fire hotspots, particulate matter concentration (2.5 µm), and relative air humidity in the studied municipalities. The annual evolution of private health plan beneficiaries in Escada was also examined. Data were systematized in a historical series from 2010 to 2019. Hospitalization rates in the case municipality were lower, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.005) compared to the control group. No significant correlation was observed between hospitalizations and the monthly distribution of fire hotspots. However, a significant correlation was found between relative humidity and respiratory outcomes among older adults in the municipalities. The low hospitalization rates in the case municipality suggest potentially underreported cases, possibly linked to expanding private health plan coverage.