Analysis of Trends of the Types of Pesticide Used, Residues and Related Factors among Farmers in the Largest Vegetable Producing Area in the Philippines

Abstract

The objective of study is to provide an analysis of data trends on the type of pesticide used, exposure factors, and the pesticide-related concerns among the farmers from 2005 to 2010 in one of the largest vegetable producing areas in the Philippines. This is to determine and analyze changes that have occurred for the last five years in order to provide necessary basis in promoting safe usage of pesticides. It is shown in the studies that the most commonly used type of pesticide was Tamaron (methamidophos) which is an organophosphate. The top five pesticide-related symptoms confirm findings in other studies. The risk factors to pesticide exposure were also identified in the reviewed studies such as improper mixing and loading of pesticides, and re-entering previously sprayed area. Pesticide residues were also found in vegetables, soil and water samples. This points to environmental contamination due to pesticide. It is suggested that government agencies implement programs on monitoring, surveillance, information dissemination, and training on proper use of pesticides, and seek alternative farming such as organically grown vegetables, or use of integrated pest management as well as good agricultural practices.

Occupational Risk Exposures and Adverse Health Findings Among Farmers in Southern Philippines

“…This pattern in pesticide use was also commonly observed among other studies in the Philippines. 4,[15][16][17] In addition to this, it is also common practice among farmers to use one pesticide type and turn these into a cocktail mixture. 15,[17][18][19] Farmers do this due to their belief that mixing pesticides will have a synergistic effect, increasing their effectiveness among the produce.…”

“…An analysis of trends of the types of pesticides used in the Philippines found that the most common pesticide types were pyrethroids, organophosphates, and carbamates. 4 This is an alarming finding since these pesticide types include pesticides ranging from the highest toxicity level to moderate ones. 5 Acute exposure to these pesticides can lead to fatal poisoning.…”

Developmental Neurotoxicity of Methamidophos in the Embryo-Larval Stages of Zebrafish

“…Methamidophos is water soluble and has a moderate potential for runoff into surface waters. One of the concentrations of methamidophos exposure (25 μg/L) is close to environmentally relevant concentrations of methamidophos in the water environment of some regions, such as Philippines, India and other countries [ 28 ]. Besides, another concentration (500 μg/L) is near to the level of methamidophos in part of the human samples [ 29 , 51 , 52 ], which indicates that people in some countries are exposed to methamidophos in dangerous levels.…”

“…This study was therefore designed to study methamidophos neurotoxicity and related mechanism in the early stages of zebrafish. Two environmentally relevant concentrations of methamidophos (25 and 500 μg/L) were selected, which were according to the concentration in water environment and the level in part of the human samples, respectively [ 28 , 29 ]. The analysis of locomotor behavior and apoptosis was used to assess the impairment of nervous system.…”

Methamidophos, an Organophosphorus Insecticide, Induces Pro-aggressive Behaviour in Mice

“…Methamidophos (O,S-dimethyl phosphoroamidothioate) is a highly toxic organophosphorus (OP) pesticide widely used worldwide (Caldas et al 2011; Caldas et al, 2006; Gray, 1982; Lu 2010; Robinson and Beiergrohslein, 1982; Yu et al 2015). Among the possible sources of human exposure, the diet route poses a substantial risk and recent reports show that methamidophos is the highest-ranking pesticide exceeding by 100% the acceptable daily intake (Melnyk et al 2016).…”