Uso de plantas tóxicas na arborização e ornamentação urbana e suas ameaças à saúde pública e polinizadores locais.

Abstract

The use of toxic plants along an evolutionary journey encompasses different forms and functions in different cultures around the world as resources of the time. Currently, it can be said that the presence of harmful species in areas of urban afforestation and ornamentation results in toxicological accidents to the population and damage to the ecology of cities. Based on this statement, because of the impacts reflected on public health and the integrity of pollinators inhabiting an urban gradient, this study aims to prepare a bibliographic survey on the use of toxic plants over time, alluding to the targeted species’ urban ornamentation and its threats, as well as promoting dissemination strategies, and technical and scientific recommendations aimed at the population and the municipal government. A search was then carried out using articles and dissertations present in specific databases: Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), PubMed, National System of Toxic-Pharmacological Information (SINITOX), National Agency of Health Surveillance (ANVISA) and specialized periodicals. Pedagogical and scientific dissemination activities were carried out using articles and dissertations present in specific databases: Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), PubMed, National System of Toxic-Pharmacological Information (SINITOX), National Agency of Health Surveillance (ANVISA) and specialized periodicals. Pedagogical and scientific dissemination activities were carried out at the Recife Botanical Garden. With the support of the institution, a proposal for a technical-scientific recommendation was drawn up to implement municipal policies focused on the central theme. Insights from the study highlighted that the biodiversity of cities becomes scarcer, and the population more susceptible to poisoning, due to gaps in urban afforestation plans, failures in the construction of current public health policies, and little investment in environmental education for the population covering harmful species. As a result of these observations, it is evident that species that present toxic characteristics related to either their bark, latex, flowers, or leaves, should not be utilized as a first choice in afforestation and urban ornamentation of public areas. Toxic plants would still not be recommended due to the potential contact with the population and their interference in the ecosystem of fauna pollinators.