RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT TOXIC ORNAMENTAL PLANTS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

Abstract

Some plants that decorate vases and gardens contain toxic active ingredients that are disguised by their beauty (shape, color, texture, etc.) and can cause serious poisoning under certain exposure conditions. Poisoning by ornamental plants occurs in the domestic environment due to inadequate and/or unknown management by the population. It should be noted that such plant varieties can cause clinical symptoms, which are often nonspecific, but important, such as nausea, hematoma, gastrointestinal problems. and other complications. The population must be aware of the health risks that poor management of ornamental and/or toxic plants can cause and, therefore, understand prevention and care. In this sense, the objective of this work was to raise awareness among the general population regarding the conscious use of ornamental plants known in the Sertão Pernambucano region, through social networks. The research was developed based on a survey of images sent by undergraduate students in Biological Sciences and Geography at FACHUSC, identified from the backyards and gardens of their homes. Thus, based on these identifications, it was possible to prepare informative material for dissemination on social networks with easy-to-understand cards. 57 ornamental species were identified, of which 40.3% are toxic, with Zamioculcas zamiifolia Engl. the most frequent (with 28.57% of occurrences). The promotional material for these toxic species reached a significant number of people through social networks, demonstrating that it is possible to develop learning through social media and raise awareness among the population regarding the conscious use of such species.