Chemical use in farming and its health and environmental implications in a rural setting in southern India

Abstract

Inappropriate use, handling and disposal of agrochemicals could have adverse health and environmental impact.This study was done in selected villages of a rural developmental block in Tamilnadu with the main objectives of assessing the knowledge and practices regarding storage, handling and disposal of routinely used agrochemicals; exploring the farmers' perceptions of agrochemical use and its potential ill effects on health and to determine if commonly used agrochemicals have reached the water consumed by the local population. Methodology involved cross sectional survey, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and water sample testing.Of the 98 farmers interviewed 18.4% stored agrochemicals in their homes prior to usage. Thirty nine percent used bare hands to mix the chemicals, a third disposed empty sacs or tins of agrochemicals in the open and 43% reused containers/sacks to store materials at homes. Only 28% used adequate personal protective equipment while applying agrochemicals. Focus group discussion and key informant interviews revealed that awareness regarding health effects of chemicals was poor among the farmers. Except for phosphorous, all chemicals tested were below detectable levels in the ground water samples from both the study villages.The practice of storing, mixing and applying agrochemicals without personal protection and unsafe disposal of pesticide containers appears to be widely prevalent in the study villages. A comprehensive program for creating awareness for safe management, handling and disposal of pesticides among both users and shop keepers is required to address this important health and environmental problem