Adverse Health Effects of Pesticides in Agrarian Populations of Developing Countries

Abstract

Developing countries use only 20% of the world's agrochemicals, yet they suffer 99% of deaths from pesticide poisoning. Pesticide poisoning is a significant problem in developing countries primarily because of unsafe pesticide application and handling practices. Safety is further exacerbated by the illiteracy and poverty that prevails in most farming communities of developing countries. Pesticides classified as being extremely or highly hazardous by FAO and WHO, including those banned by other countries, continue to be used in developing countries. Many farmers in developing countries continue to be exposed to pesticides from either storing them in or near their residences, or from inadequate or unsafe application or handling practices. Farming populations exposed to pesticides suffer from several health problems, primarily neurological abnormalities, respiratory ailments, and reproductive, endocrinological, and dermal problems. In developing countries, the scientific literature (including the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, India) have taken the initiative to monitor health problems resulting from pesticide exposure in agrarian communities. The welfare fund for agricultural laborers could institute a special program for pesticide applicators in developing countries. The primary need, currently, in such countries is creation and implementation of sound national policies to effectively articulate appropriate guidelines for managing farm pest control activities. Such policies should be aimed at both limiting pesticide exposure and usage, but doing so without damaging the yields of food production. If such steps are taken, it is fully expected that the incidence of adverse health consequences for agrarian populations from pesticide toxicity will decrease, and the health of farmers improve.

Isolation and molecular characterization of a novel <i>pseudomonas putida</i> strain capable of degrading organophosphate and aromatic compounds

“…Exposure to organophosphate pesticides both purposely and accidentally results in millions of poisonings worldwide and 200,000 to 500,000 deaths annually throughout Asia and the Western Pacific [9][10][11][12]. While being removed from large-scale use in developed countries, organophosphates still may threaten metropolitan water supplies through unintentional contamination [13,14].…”

Introductory Chapter: Serious Pollution of Soil and Groundwater and the Necessity of Bioremediation

“…Based on these reports, the EU decided on an upper limit for the use of atrazine in fields and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States legally regulated the maximum amount (3 ppm) of atrazine in drinking water. However, atrazine and simazine are still widely used outside of the EU and polluted paddy fields are increasing [19,20].…”

Improving workers' health across the globe: advancing the Global Plan of Action for Workers' Health.

“…This is a particularly important sector, because 70% of the world's poor live in rural areas and are involved in agriculture as their main source of income. 31 Overall, around 35% of the world' s workforce is employed in agriculture, 32 and agriculture sector workers include some of the most vulnerable, such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly.…”

“…Developing countries use only 20% of the world's agrochemicals, yet they suffer 99% of deaths from pesticide poisoning. 32 One of the most important causes is inadequate or nonexistent regulation of pesticides. Many of the pesticides marketed in developing countries fail to meet internationally accepted quality standards, and they are often inadequately labeled.…”