The Dra. Sandra Cortés, research associate at the Center for advanced chronic diseases (ACCDiS ) and part of the Steering Committee of the cohort MAUCO, It will work with your team in a project that seeks to advance the development of the network of researchers for the study of chronic health effects associated with exposure to pesticides in the country.

The Dra. Cuts obtained financing from competition networks of support for international networking for researchers(as), financed by Conicyt. In this project it will advance – for two years- the installation and development of various research and dissemination activities regarding the impact of pesticides on the health of the people.

In this collaborative work, the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile together with the Catholic University of the North, the O'Higgins University and the Catholic University of the Maule have convened to address interdisciplinary this issue of national.

The firm has particular relevance given that since 2005, a draft law that seeks to ban the use of pesticides in high danger for the population is located in the Congress, without presenting any progress despite the great importance of the problem of the indiscriminate use of such substances in our country.

In both, the cohort MAUCO is a Chilean study in which ten thousand residents from 38 to 74 years in the commune of Molina are being evaluated, located in the Maule Region, place that has strong links to the agricultural activity.

In this respect, the Dra. Cortés, He said that "we will discuss in depth the consequences on health of exposure to pesticides. We'll plan the work of the next two years to establish the network, consolidate it and form a platform that allows to apply for research funds and develop this area of interest for the zone South Central".

"This cooperation network will begin to develop in January of 2019 and will have a duration of two years. The firm has special relevance since, First of all, It is necessary to acquire learning to allow us to answer our questions about pesticides, cancer, cognitive damage, among other pathologies", added the ACCDiS researcher.

This project funded by CONICYT also is a tribute to ACCDiS, Research Center which is consolidated as articulator of researchers throughout chile in themes that are at the same time scientific interest and relevance to public health.

Photographs: Universidad Catolica del Maule