Aims: Assessment of human and environmental health implications of pesticide use by farmers in the western highlands of Cameroon, the case of Fotouni. Study design: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Place and Duration of Study: This work was done between November 2016 and March 2017 in Fotouni (West Region of Cameroon). Methodology: A structured questionnaires randomly administered to 76 markets gardeners owning a farm and willing to take part in the survey. Results: The survey revealed that secondary school was the highest level of education achieved by most of the respondents (68.4%). Farmers were aged between 19 and 63 years, the highest percentage (47.4%) being in the 31 to 40 years range. Five pesticide families were used in the study area with a predominance of insecticides. Thirty-one commercial names were recorded corresponding to 18 active ingredients. Chlorothalonil was the most used active ingredient. Beauchamp and Dimethoate were two illegally used compounds recorded. Most farmers (89%) mixed pesticide before application while others (31.6%) changed dosage per crop season. Furthermore, prescribed doses were not followed by 34.2% of respondents and 60.5% of farmers hadn’t receive any training on pesticide application. Market gardeners chose pesticides to apply mainly from information on labels (71%). Farm water was used by 92.1% of respondents for domestic purposes; 28.9% of respondents testified active pesticide poisoning while 47.4% failed to use protective equipment during application. Seven post-application symptoms were recorded, the main one being impaired vison and nausea. The farm house was the main pesticide storage site (56%). Empty sachets were poorly managed as respondents burned (42%) or buried (10%). The Restricted Entry Interval was a mystery for the majority of respondents (70%) who declared they re-entered the farms less than 24h after application. Conclusion: Farmers were highly exposed to pesticides due to ignorance and poor legislation.
Amphibians are among the main affected non-target groups, victim of pesticides. This review puts into evidence worldwide studies on lethal and sub-lethal effects of pollutants on amphibians and proposes solutions to handle the issue. Literature review was carried out from articles and books, on 123 studies. The number of pesticide formulations used worldwide in very high. Pesticide effect on the environment and the biota in general have been assessed in many studies using tools such as biomonitoring, bioassays in laboratory and semi-field conditions and Ecological Risk Assessment (EcoRA) with models. The ecological effects of pollutants are varied and often inter-related. Effects in the organism or at the ecological level are usually considered an early warning indicator of potential human health impact. Effects can either be lethal or sub-lethal comprising cancer, tumours, lesions, reduction of reproductive potential, immune suppression, disruption of endocrine system, cellular and Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage, and teratogenic effects. Amphibian conservation can be done via the protection of genetic resources, cleaning habitat, sustainable harvesting, captive breeding, cloning and reintroduction programmes. Proper use of pesticides and reinforcement of regulation remains a necessity to protect environmental health.
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