A 1998 study by the Rancagua Hospital in the central valley region, where 60 percent of the nation's pesticides are used, showed that residents are 40 percent more likely to have children born with defects than in other regions. Last year, more than 15,000 tons of pesticides were imported to Chile, almost twice the amount in 1990. There are 928 registered pesticides in use, of which 39 are on the United Nations' list of pesticides prohibited or severely restricted by governments, according to government officials. Highly toxic pesticides can be bought by virtually anyone in Chile. The Copiapo Valley is Chile's leading source of grapes, the nation's second-largest export to the United States after copper.
Some observers say that rationale is the crux of the problem.
The economic model emphasizes deregulation and export. The farmers don't understand that they could reduce the use of pesticides dramatically and obtain the same levels of production. Monsignor Fernando Ariztia of Copiapo's Catholic church said he has been unsuccessful in trying to persuade area farmers and the government to regulate pesticide use. But the nation has few norms governing pesticide use, and safety precautions are often voluntary. Also, regulations vary from region to region.