Ubiquitous use of agricultural pesticides in six agro-based districts of Bangladesh and its impact on public health and environment

Abstract

Effects of pesticide exposure on public health are monitored in developed countries, which is rare in the least developed countries like Bangladesh. Here, a surveillance study was conducted to investigate the farmer's knowledge and perception toward pesticide use and the impact of occupational exposure as well as an environmental hazard in six agro-based districts (Gazipur, Khulna, Manikganj, Naogaon, Mymensingh and Tangail) in Bangladesh. A questionnaire was designed for a face to face interview of the farmers (at least 100 farmers in each district), and the data was collected. The farmer during cultivations used pesticides as single, double or several times in a single crop cycle. Among different types of pesticides, insecticides were highly used (38%), whereas Imidacloprid, and Lamda cyhalothrin insecticide was top used by the farmers. Weedicides or herbicide, fungicides and rodenticides were used 11%, 48%, and 0.5%, respectively. The knowledge and perception of the farmers towards pesticide usage are minimum, whereas the environmental pollution aspect is deficient. The knowledge of using personal protective equipment is the least. Eighty five percent of farmers use pesticides by spraying in the field. Thirty nine percent of farmers suffered from sneezing, burning sensation on face, conjunctivitis, dizziness and headache during pesticide application, and 3% suffered from skin rash of long time exposed with pesticide. The exposure of pesticides is widespread in the professional life of a farmer in Bangladesh. So, it is essential to ensure different training and awareness building program for the farmers to cope the adverse situation.

Pollution Characteristics, Source Identification, and Health Risk of Heavy Metals in the Soil-Vegetable System in Two Districts of Bangladesh

“…Approximately 3 billion kilograms of pesticides are used worldwide annually, with a yearlong increase of 11% [26]. Farmers in Bangladesh use pesticides extensively on high-demand, quickly degradable crops like vegetables and fruits [28]. But the worst part is that it might carry significant amounts of toxic heavy metals that contaminate vegetables and other edible agrofoods [5,26,29].…”

Anatomic pathology of cattle and goat liver collected from slaughterhouses in Mymensingh city of Bangladesh

“…Chemical poisoning now a day is a common condition that causes hepatic degeneration in the liver, death of hepatocytes and proliferation of fibrous tissue. Unrestricted uses of pesticides in Bangladesh agriculture (Kobir et al, 2020) and due to industrialization, many pastures have already been contaminated with industrial effluents but their effect on liver is also not clear. Gross alterations due to such an unexpected poisoning need to address.…”

Source Investigations, Quality Indexing of Vegetable Farmland and Human Health Risk Implications

“…Approximately three billion kilograms of pesticides are used worldwide each year, with an annual increase of 11% [27]. In Bangladesh, with highly demandable and quickly degradable crops like vegetables and fruits, farmers are extensively using pesticides on them [29]. About 40,000 metric tons of pesticide has produced each year at a 6% incremental rate [29].…”

“…In Bangladesh, with highly demandable and quickly degradable crops like vegetables and fruits, farmers are extensively using pesticides on them [29]. About 40,000 metric tons of pesticide has produced each year at a 6% incremental rate [29]. Organochlorin substances, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroid and heterocyclic pesticides, nitro compounds and amides are commonly used as pesticide chemicals for the cultivation of vegetables, fruits and crops [29,30].…”

“…About 40,000 metric tons of pesticide has produced each year at a 6% incremental rate [29]. Organochlorin substances, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroid and heterocyclic pesticides, nitro compounds and amides are commonly used as pesticide chemicals for the cultivation of vegetables, fruits and crops [29,30]. But the worst part is that pesticide chemicals adversely affect the human body both acutely and chronically [27,28,30].…”