Title: Pesticides and Chemical Toxicity—Challenges in Farming
Abstract: Agrochemicals are applied to protect crops from insects and diseases to get good farm yields. These chemicals cover insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, rodenticides, molluscicides, nematocides, and other plant growth regulators. However, the indiscriminate use of these chemicals results in severe health problems for human beings. To date, more than 900 different pesticides have been registered, and nearly two-thirds of them are for agricultural use. The United Nations Human Rights Council report suggests that about 200,000 people die every year from the toxic exposure of pesticides across the world, and 99% of these deaths being from low-income countries. This chapter presents a brief history of pesticide use in agriculture. It indicates the type of chemicals used in for crop protection, their toxicity and the poisoning symptoms to workers. Information on banned pesticides is also presented here. This contribution elucidates guidance on good practices in pesticide handling, distribution, formulation, storage, and disposal, as well as the record-keeping of events and incidents. The safety aspects in sprayer design, pesticide application and also the use of spraying safety kit are described. It further discusses about integrated pest management (IPM) system and the use of biopesticides for the benefits of eco-friendliness. The IPM strategy aims at the interventions of physical, biological, and chemical methods to preserve the quality of the crop and minimal effects on the environment and human beings. Biopesticides, such as microbial, plant-incorporated-protectants, and biochemical pesticides provide useful pest management tools in place of synthetic pesticides and against chemical pesticide resistance. The farm managers, rural development authorities, health workers, and community leaders have roles in minimizing the harmful effects of agrochemicals on farmworkers. Research indicates that the awareness of all stakeholders associated with the handling and application of hazardous pesticides need to be raised. Necessary precautions and safety measures can help the farmers and farmworkers in protecting themselves from health hazards during pesticides application.
Publication Year: 2020
Publication Date: 2020-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 3
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