Health Effects and Pesticide Perception as Determinants of Pesticide Use


Book Description

"In a recent survey of 820 Boro (winter rice), potato, bean, eggplant, cabbage, sugarcane, and mango farmers in Bangladesh, over 47 percent of farmers were found to be overusing pesticides. With only 4 percent of farmers formally trained in pesticide use or handling, and over 87 percent openly admitting to using little or no protective measures while applying pesticides, overuse is potentially a threatening problem to farmer health as well as the environment. To model pesticide overuse, the authors used a 3-equation, trivariate probit framework, with health effects and misperception of pesticide risk as endogenous dummy variables. Health effects (the first equation) were found to be strictly a function of the amount of pesticides used in production, while misperception of pesticide risk (the second equation) was determined by health impairments from pesticides and the toxicity of chemicals used. Pesticide overuse (the third equation) was significantly determined by variation in income, farm ownership, the toxicity of chemicals used, crop composition, and geographical location. The results highlight the necessity for policymakers to design effective and targeted outreach programs that deal specifically with pesticide risk, safe handling, and averting behavior. Ideally, the approach would be participatory in nature to address key informational gaps, as well as increasing a farmers' awareness retention. The results also point to specific crops and locations experiencing a higher prevalence of overuse-bean and eggplant in general-and overall production in the districts of Chapainawabganj, Chittagong, Comilla, Jessore, Narshingdi, Rajshahi, and Rangpur. Focusing efforts in these crop and geographical areas may have the most measurable effects on pesticide overuse. "--World Bank web site.










Impact of Pesticides on Farmer Health and the Rice Environment


Book Description

The book covers the various aspects of the use of pesticides, their behavior, degradation, and impacts in wetland ricefields, and presents the results of surveys conducted in the Philippines and Thailand. It includes both bibliographic reviews and selected aspects of the experimental results of a research project on pesticide impacts in wetland ricefields. The first phase of the `Pesticide Impact' project was developed in the Philippines from 1989 to 1991. It was a multidisciplinary/collaborative approach involving scientists from IRRI, NRI (England), ORSTOM (France), UPLB (Philippines) who studied the effects of pesticides on the environment and on farmers' health, and the economical aspects of their use.










Knowledge Level and Farmers Opinion Towards Effects of Pesticides on Human Health


Book Description

Knowledge Level refers to the level of understanding, awareness, and expertise that an individual or group possesses about a particular subject or area of study. In the context of pesticides and human health, knowledge level can refer to the scientific research, policies, and regulations surrounding the use of pesticides, as well as the potential risks and benefits of exposure to these chemicals. Farmers' Opinion Towards Effects of Pesticides on Human Health refers to the attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions that farmers hold regarding the impact of pesticides on human health. This includes their understanding of the risks and benefits of using pesticides on crops, as well as their views on the potential health effects of exposure to these chemicals on both themselves and consumers of their products. Farmers' opinions can be shaped by a variety of factors, including personal experience, education, cultural and social norms, and access to information and resources. Environmental Impact of Pesticides refers to the effects that the use of pesticides can have on the natural environment, including soil, water, air, and biodiversity. This includes the potential for pesticides to leach into groundwater and surface water, contaminate soil and plants, harm non-target organisms, and contribute to the development of resistance in pest populations. Understanding the environmental impact of pesticides is important for developing sustainable agricultural practices that minimize harm to the environment. Alternatives to Pesticides refer to the various non-chemical methods that can be used to control pests and maintain crop health without relying on synthetic pesticides. These may include integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, such as crop rotation, biological control, and the use of resistant crop varieties, as well as organic farming practices that rely on natural inputs and soil health to promote plant growth and pest resistance. Pesticide Regulations refer to the laws, policies, and guidelines that govern the production, sale, and use of pesticides in agriculture and other industries. These regulations are put in place to ensure that pesticides are safe for human health and the environment, and may include requirements for product labeling, pre-market testing, and monitoring of pesticide residues in food and the environment. Health Effects of Pesticides refer to the potential risks and impacts that exposure to pesticides can have on human health. These may include acute effects such as skin irritation, nausea, and respiratory distress, as well as chronic effects such as cancer, reproductive and developmental disorders, and neurological damage. Understanding the health effects of pesticides is important for protecting both agricultural workers and consumers of agricultural products. Pesticide Residues in Food refer to the small amounts of pesticide that can remain on or in crops after they have been treated with these chemicals. The presence of pesticide residues in food can pose a potential health risk to consumers, particularly vulnerable populations such as infants and young children. Maximum residue limits (MRLs) are set by regulatory agencies to ensure that pesticide residues in food remain below levels that are deemed unsafe for human consumption.