# Inquiry into Argentine pesticide researcher

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/inquiry-into-argentine-pesticide-researcher
> Updated: 2026-09-28T20:34:37.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 3.

Virginia Aparicio, an agronomist and researcher for Argentina’s National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) and CONICET, is facing an administrative inquiry that could result in her dismissal and a permanent ban from public service.

The investigation stems from her role as the Argentine coordinator for the SPRINT (Sustainable Plant Protection Transition) project, an EU-funded international study coordinated by Wageningen University in the Netherlands. Launched in 2020, the project assessed pesticide risks and sustainable alternatives. Research findings indicated significant chemical exposure; specifically, glyphosate was detected in 86.1% of blood samples and 100% of fecal samples from the Argentine participant group, with some reports noting glyphosate was also found in 86.1% of urine samples. These levels were reportedly higher than averages found in European countries.

Following the dissemination of these results, the INTA administration reportedly halted the distribution of findings and withdrew Argentina from the international consortium in late 2023. Scientific organizations, labor unions, environmental groups, and the Permanent Assembly for Human Rights (APDH) have denounced these actions as “censorship and persecution.” Critics, including the local Justicialist Party (PJ) of Balcarce, argue that the disciplinary process threatens scientific autonomy and transparency, alleging the inquiry was triggered by Aparicio’s attempts to share findings that may conflict with powerful economic interests.

## Claims

- The SPRINT study detected glyphosate in 100% of the Argentine participants analyzed. (disputed by 3 sources)
- Approximately 86% of Argentines have glyphosate in their bodies. (disputed by 2 sources)
- INTA has opened an administrative summary against researcher Virginia Aparicio that could lead to her exoneration. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The SPRINT project was funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 program. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The study analyzed samples from 73 volunteers in rural and urban areas of Buenos Aires province. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) ordered the interruption of the study's local dissemination in 2023. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Argentina showed higher concentrations of pesticides in water and soil samples than the European average. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The research findings were presented in Belgium. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-28: Virginia Aparicio faces exoneration after pesticide study

Scientist Virginia Aparicio faces potential exoneration from INTA following an international study revealing widespread glyphosate presence in Argentine citizens and the environment.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/researcher-virginia-aparicio-faces-inquiry-over-pesticide-study-findings

### 2026-09-24: Argentina researcher faces inquiry over pesticide study

Argentine researcher Virginia Aparicio faces potential dismissal following her leadership of the SPRINT project, an EU-funded study investigating pesticide exposure in humans, animals, and the environment.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-researcher-faces-inquiry-over-pesticide-study

### 2026-09-22: Virginia Aparicio faces potential dismissal from INTA over pesticide research

Argentine researcher Virginia Aparicio faces potential exoneration from INTA following her coordination of the SPRINT project, which studied pesticide exposure in humans and the environment.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/researcher-virginia-aparicio-faces-dismissal-over-pesticide-study

---
Cite as: Inquiry into Argentine pesticide researcher. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/inquiry-into-argentine-pesticide-researcher