Pesticide use in South and South-East Asia: Environmental Public Health and Legal Concerns

Abstract

Problem statement: The South and South East Asian countries are characterized by their rich biodiversity as well as cultural diversity. Agricultural expansion for livelihood security is leading to an increase in pesticide application in this region. It has been observed that because of the hot and humid conditions prevalent in this region, most farmers and pesticide applicators do not use proper protective gear, thereby exposing themselves to the hazards of pesticide poisoning. Another important issue is the exposure of infants and children to toxic pesticides, especially in congested urban slums and tenements. Approach: The biodiversity contained in the six biodiversity hotspots located in this region was also at considerable risk from the toxic effects of pesticides from agricultural fields as well as plantations of tea, coffee, rubber, oil palm, which were often present in close proximity of protected areas. Though a large number of countries in this region had ratified and/or signed important international conventions on pesticide manufacture, export-import and trans boundary movements such as the Stockholm, the Rotterdam and the Basel conventions. Results: A large number of hazardous pesticides was still in use in this region and require to be phased out. Information was lacking on the use status of several pesticides in smaller countries, thereby retaining a certain amount of ambiguity. Conclusion: Despite the grave nature of the pesticide use regulation issue in the Asia-Pacific, clear and uniform policy response is lacking in most countries of this region. These issues need to be addressed through dialogues and mutual cooperation both at national as well as international levels.

How to protect agricultural workers from exposure to pesticides: Effectiveness of woven and natural resin-coated fabrics

“…Another concern is that this study was conducted in only chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, paraquat, and glyphosate. These four pesticides are widely used in agriculture, especially in Southeast Asia (Gupta, 2012;Sapbamrer, 2018;Tawatsin et al, 2015). However, agricultural workers may apply several products of pesticides.…”

“…It has been shown that agricultural workers are more vulnerable than typical non-agricultural workers because they face a greater risk of exposure to pesticides (Damalas & Koutroubas, 2016). Chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin are routinely used as insecticides in agriculture, while paraquat and glyphosate are widely used as herbicides, especially in Southeast Asia countries including Thailand (Gupta, 2012;Sapbamrer, 2018;Tawatsin et al, 2015). Pesticide exposure occurs mainly during mixing, loading and application.…”

“…The workers who carry out these activities can be exposed to pesticides as a result of spills and splashes, and also due to direct contact with the spray. Therefore, the main routes of exposure are dermal contact and inhalation (Damalas & Koutroubas, 2016;Gupta, 2012;Miguelino, 2014).…”

Effect of excessive use of agrochemicals on farming practices: Bangladesh perspectives

“…However, the majority (56.7%) of them did not maintain extension media contact for farming activities and about threefourths (76%) of them had no connection with any organization. The research findings of Gupta (2012) explored that the majority of the farmers did not communicate with extension agents for conducting farming practices. Nonetheless, a significant portion (46%) of the respondents had medium knowledge and almost half (48.7%) of them had a less favourable attitude towards the effects of excessive use of agrochemicals whereas about two-third (67.3%) of them were unaware regarding the effects of excessive use of agrochemicals on farming practices which a matter of concern and presented in Table 1.…”

“…Conducting farming practices effectively and efficiently could be a useful strategy in eradicating poverty and hunger which is the key indicators of sustainable development (FAO, 2021). To produce more crops from small landholdings and feed the large population, farmers especially in developing countries are applying agrochemicals in their farming practices (Gupta, 2012). Agrochemicals are the chemical compounds (fertilizer, pesticides, hormone, fungicides, insecticides, herbicides etc.)…”