A review on pesticides in flower production: A push to reduce human exposure and environmental contamination

Pereira, Patrícia Christina Genázio; Parente, Cláudio Ernesto Taveira; Carvalho, Gabriel Oliveira de; Torres, João Paulo Machado; Meire, Rodrigo Ornellas; Malm, Olaf

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117817

Cited by 42 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 89 publications

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“…In the flower farms in Ethiopia, all sprayers are male. Therefore, male workers from packinghouses were chosen as a control group in the present study [ 5 , 17 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Respiratory Health among Pesticide Sprayers at Flower Farms in Ethiopia

Shentema

Bråtveit

Kumie

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background: Pesticide use in Ethiopia has become a common practice in which large-scale flower farms are the main consumers. Workers on flower farms might be exposed to pesticides while spraying or while performing other tasks related to pesticide use and management. It is unclear whether working as a flower farm sprayer is associated with respiratory health problems. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare respiratory symptoms and lung function indices between pesticide sprayers and non-spraying workers. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 15 flower farms, involving all-male sprayers as the pesticide-exposed group and all other male workers as a control group. Data were collected using a standard questionnaire for respiratory symptoms developed by the British Medical Research Council and the American Thoracic Society. Lung function tests were performed to determine forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), mid 50 expiratory flow, and the ratio of FEV1 to FVC. Chi-squared tests and Poisson regression analyses were used to compare respiratory symptoms between the two working groups. General linear regression models were used to compare lung function test indices between spraying and non-spraying working groups. The significance level was set to 0.05. Results: A total of 285 male workers participated (152 sprayers and 133 non-spraying workers). The mean age of the workers was 25 years for sprayers and 24 years for non-sprayers. The proportions of cough, cough with sputum, breathlessness, and wheezing were similar in the two groups, while chest tightness was significantly high in the non-spraying group. Sprayers had significantly higher FVC and FEV1 than the non-spraying group. Conclusions: Respiratory symptoms were not different between the sprayers and non-spraying workers except that the non-spraying workers had increased chest tightness. FVC and FEV1 were significantly higher among sprayers relative to non-sprayers. The results must be interpreted with caution, as the sprayers used respiratory protective equipment, which probably reduced their exposure to the pesticides. Also, the workers were young, and a healthy worker effect might be present among the sprayers.

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“…In the flower farms in Ethiopia, all sprayers are male. Therefore, male workers from packinghouses were chosen as a control group in the present study [ 5 , 17 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These workers are involved in either trimming flowers or making them ready for packing and transport [ 5 ]. These workers do not handle pesticides and rarely enter the greenhouses where pesticides are sprayed [ 5 , 17 ]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Respiratory Health among Pesticide Sprayers at Flower Farms in Ethiopia

Shentema

Bråtveit

Kumie

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…A greater residual of imidacloprid was obtained in the peel in relation to the pulp; in this regard, Pang et al (2020) pointed out that in fruits for daily consumption, the peel acts as a natural protector against external agents; therefore, it is obvious to assume that the residues of imidacloprid would be retained in the peel and only a minimal amount would penetrate the pulp. In this sense, Joice et al (2019) and Pereira et al (2021), point out that in the initial concentration or initial deposit, the lower layer of the pesticide is strongly adhered to the plant surface. Likewise, Pang et al (2020) and Zikankuba et al (2019), emphasize that the physical characteristics, chemical composition, and presence of waxes of the plant or fruits affect the retention of a pesticide, and in the case of avocado fruit, on the surface of its peel there is a dense, thick and uniform layer of wax that covers the epidermal surface without interruption (Barrientos et al, 1996), so this layer would have allowed a uniform adherence of imidacloprid when the doses were applied by spraying to the foliage causing greater residual on the peel, compared to a drip application at the foot of the plant.…”

Section: 𝑌𝑌 = 𝐵𝐵0𝑒𝑒 𝐵𝐵1𝑋𝑋𝑋𝑋mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, overdosing or non-compliance with the waiting periods of insecticides can generate residues not allowed in food (Durán-Quirós et al, 2017) that when exceeding the MRL become contaminating substances that could originate adverse effects on human health (Pereira et al, 2021, Yilmaz, 2017.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Residues and dissipation of imidacloprid in avocado fruit

2022

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Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid insecticide used to control insect pests in avocado (Persea americana); its excessive application could generate residues above the maximum residue limits (MRL) in the fruit, causing a serious health risk to consumers. The objective of this work was to determine the residues and dissipation of imidacloprid in avocado fruit, Hass variety. The treatments were the doses of Imidacloprid (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mL.L-1) under the commercial formulation Thunder 350SC and the forms of application (sprayed to foliage and drip at the foot of the plant). There were six treatments in a completely randomized experimental design with three replications and 18 experimental units (plants). Quantification was by HPLC (QuEChERS). The evaluations were carried out on two matrices (avocado fruit peel and pulp) at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after the application of Imidacloprid. The application of the 0.5 mL.L-1 dose by drip at the foot of the plant resulted in lower residual and a higher percentage of dissipation in both matrices, higher daily dissipation rate in the pulp, with imidacloprid concentrations that did not exceed the MRL (0.7 mg.kg-1). The application of 1.5 mL.L-1 by spraying resulted in higher residual, and in a lower percentage of dissipation in both matrices, with imidacloprid concentrations in the peel exceeding the MRL at 7 and 14 days. In the pulp, none of the treatments exceeded the MRL.

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“…The Kenyan cut flower industry continues to grow, operating in state of the art greenhouses, and flower certification bodies have been working to document and counteract issues such as land grabbing [22], long working hours, poor treatment and payment of labor, and other injustices including sexual harassment [23][24][25][26]. In addition, certification bodies enforce production standards and good agricultural practices when it comes to the use of agrochemicals and water management [27][28][29][30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Ethically Conscious Flower Consumer: Understanding Fair Trade Cut Flower Purchase Behavior in Germany

et al. 2021

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Fair trade flowers are an important niche product relevant to ethically conscious consumers. The study proposes a model that investigates key factors affecting the behavior of these cut flower consumers in Germany. The study serves to complement the existing studies dedicated to preferences for flower attributes and products, as well as consumers’ willingness to pay. It builds on an online survey with a representative sample of 772 German cut-flower consumers. Partial least squares structural equation modelling shows that concern for the treatment of workers from countries with poor environmental and labor reputations, the breadth of fair trade cut flower information sources, and familiarity with the fair trade concept and its influence on flower production issues positively impact the relative importance that consumers dedicate to fair trade certification as a cut flower attribute. The same factors also positively impact fair trade cut flower buying behavior. Socio-demographic factors did not show any impact. The study concludes with best practice recommendations for retailers and horticultural marketers on how to address the needs and wants of ethically conscious consumers.

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A review on pesticides in flower production: A push to reduce human exposure and environmental contamination

Cited by 42 publications

References 89 publications

Respiratory Health among Pesticide Sprayers at Flower Farms in Ethiopia

Respiratory Health among Pesticide Sprayers at Flower Farms in Ethiopia

Residues and dissipation of imidacloprid in avocado fruit

The Ethically Conscious Flower Consumer: Understanding Fair Trade Cut Flower Purchase Behavior in Germany

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