agrochemicals

Nearly 65% of fruits and vegetables produced in Costa Rica contain residual traces of agrochemicals, a study from the Pesticide Department of the State Phytosanitary System found. 

The Plant Health Department (SFE) of Costa Rica knew the levels of bromacil in the water of Río Cuarto (canton of Alajuela) since 2015. Despite having the information, the data wasn't shared with other authorities until 2016 and wasn't known publicly until 2018.

Water samples were collected from the river for laboratory testing; environmentalists believe the death of fish could be linked to the use of agrochemicals at farms in the area.

Since 1977, Costa Rica has imported more than 185,000 metric tons of agrochemicals. In that same time period, the country's consumption of these substances has more than tripled.

Residents of Siquirres and their supporters say the government of Costa Rica is violating the communities’ right to access clean water by not properly handling the contamination problem, and not forcing pineapple growers to accept their share of responsibility.