Disposal Of Pesticide Containers Research Articles

Pesticide Use by Vegetable Growers in Rupandehi District, Western Nepal: Environmental and Health Risk Effects

Rupandehi district, located in the southern part of western Nepal, is well-known for producing different kinds of vegetables and has many commercial vegetable-growing pocket areas. This study aims to identify the types of pesticides used and their effect on human health and environment. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 150 vegetable growers, 40 pesticide retailers, and focus group discussions with key informants. This study found that the vegetable growers used insecticides with 25 technical names; fungicides with 10 technical names; and herbicides with 4 technical names. The maximum vegetable growers (40%) experienced respiratory tract irritation, followed by skin disorders (20%), asthma (13%), gastrointestinal disorders (12%), eye irritation (10%), and neurological effects (9%) in the study area. Similarly, air, water, and land pollution were found in the study area mainly due to the improper pesticide use and disposal of pesticide containers. Most of the vegetable growers (47%) illegally disposed of pesticide containers, followed by burning in the field (28%), storing foodstuffs (10%), putting oil (7%), selling to recyclers (5%), and burying in the field (3%). This study may provide baseline information for pesticide management and utilization in this area, and there is an urgent need for a thorough investigation into the harmful effects of pesticides on farmer health and pesticide residues in vegetables.

IPM: Decontamination & disposal of pesticide containers.

IPM: Decontamination & disposal of pesticide containers.

Farmers’ Awareness of Pesticide Use: Role of Public Library and Other Information Sources

ABSTRACT The paper highlights the source, resources, and information services for rural farmers’ communities to fulfill their information needs regarding chemical pesticides use. The main objective of this study is to determine the awareness and knowledge of farmers regarding pesticide use and its effect on their social life, society, and environment. The study also identifies their knowledge level about the source of information regarding pesticide use, storage, and disposal of pesticide containers. It highlights the farmers’ behaviors’, attitudes, and protective measures taken toward the negative effect of chemical pesticides on the environment. In this study, 110 farmer families have been randomly selected, 10 families each from 11 villages’ total of 110 families and also studied 7 public libraries and their resources and services to the farmers to help the collection of information regarding pesticide use from Narayangarh block of Paschim Medinipur district in West Bengal for sample study.

Impact of a Non-Formal Environmental Education Program on safe handling of pesticides among Mexican subsistence farmers: a participatory pilot study

Pesticides negatively impact human health and environment, resulting in a high number of deaths annually. The objective of the present study was to measure the impact of an educational intervention on safe handling of pesticides in subsistence farmers in rural communities in Mexico. In a participatory non-randomized controlled community trial subsistence farmers were surveyed on safe handling of pesticides at the beginning and end of the intervention. Two communities had the intervention which was a Non-Formal Environmental Education Program, while one community served as reference. We observed impact in knowledge and practices of safe handling of pesticides among farmers in the intervention communities. Perception of being trained by the program (OR:9.14 95%CI 2.4-35.3), knowledge of rubber boots as PPE and its use (OR:14 95%CI 3.1-64 and OR:7.1 95%CI 1.4-35.3); knowledge and correct final disposal of pesticide containers (OR:7.4 95%CI 1.8-30.2 and OR:6.6 95%CI 1.8-24.3); and washing hands with soap and water before eating food in the field (OR:10.5 95%CI 2.2-49.4) were positively associated with the intervention. Throwing and burning pesticide containers in the field was negatively associated with the intervention (OR:0.19 95%CI 0.05-0.68 and OR:0.07 95%CI 0.01-0.44). The Non-Formal Environmental Education Program had an impact on some indicators of safe handling of pesticides.

A Review on Prediction Models for Pesticide Use, Transmission, and Its Impacts.

The lure of increased productivity and crop yield has caused the imprudent use of pesticides in great quantity that has unfavorably affected environmental health. Pesticides are chemicals intended for avoiding, eliminating, and mitigating any pests that affect the crop. Lack of awareness, improper management, and negligent disposal of pesticide containers have led to the permeation of pesticide residues into the food chain and other environmental pathways, leading to environmental degradation. Sufficient steps must be undertaken at various levels to monitor and ensure judicious use of pesticides. Development of prediction models for optimum use of pesticides, pesticide management, and their impact would be of great help in monitoring and controlling the ill effects of excessive use of pesticides. This paper aims to present an exhaustive review of the prediction models developed and modeling strategies used to optimize the use of pesticides.

Socio-economic determinants of vegetable farmers' awareness of safety measures in pesticide use in Jere local government area, Borno state, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the socio-economic factors influencing awareness on pesticide use and safety measures by the vegetable farmers in Jere Local Government Area, Borno State. The specific objectives were to identify the socio-economic characteristics of vegetable farmers, determine the level of awareness on pesticide use and safety practices among vegetable farmers, and determine the factors influencing vegetable farmers' awareness on pesticide use and safety measures. A two-stage sampling technique was employed to select eighty-five vegetable farmers across thirteen wards of the local government. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for the analysis. The study revealed that most of the farmers were between the age of 26 and 35 years (36%) with the majority having household size of 6 to 10 members (44%) and farm size of less than 10 acres (61%). Majority (64%) of the farmers were aware of pesticide safety use and practices (64%). Fellow farmers were the major source of information on pesticide safety use and practices (48%). The major factors that influenced awareness among the farmers were age, household size and farm size. Therefore, it is recommended that farmers' awareness on disposal of pesticide containers, mixing of pesticides should be raised through regular workshops and symposia.Keywords: Awareness, Pesticide, Vegetables, Factors.

REVERSE LOGISTICS OF AGROCHEMICAL PESTICIDE PACKAGING AND THE IMPACTS TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Abstract: Over time, agriculture has proven to be an important economic development factor for Brazil. The evolution and the need for productivity caused a large increase in the use of pesticides in agriculture and with it, the need to give proper treatment to packaging. With these agricultural activities in evidence, it is not possible to keep the crops without the use of pesticides. In 2000, it was created the 9,974 law as a decree Law 4,074/2002, which regulates the reverse logistics of empty containers of pesticides. This study intends to demonstrate that there are still producers who have difficulties in finding the correct destination to pesticide containers because of lack of knowledge of the law or because they acquire chemicals illegally, without a specific origin. The instruments for protecting the environment, such as licensing and environmental legislation stand out as high points, since it has the general objective of analyzing and demonstrating how reverse logistics helps minimize the impact and the possible environmental and health problems caused by the incorrect disposal of pesticide containers of and along with a group of farmers.

English

Pesticide residues in food and environment pose serious health risks to human beings. Plant protection laws, among other things, regulate misuse of agricultural pesticides. Compliance with such laws consequently reduces risks of pesticide residues in food and the environment. Studies were conducted to assess the compliance with plant protection laws among tomato farmers in Mvomero District, Morogoro Region, Tanzania. Compliance was assessed by examining pesticide use practices that are regulated by the Tanzanian Plant Protection Act (PPA) of 1997. A total of 91 tomato farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Purposive sampling was used in selecting at least 30 respondent farmers from each of the three villages of Msufini, Mlali and Doma in Mvomero District, Morogoro Region. Simple Random Sampling was used to obtain respondents from the sampling frame. Individual and social factors were examined on how they could affect pesticide use practices regulated by the law. Descriptive statistics, mainly frequency, were used to analyze the data while associations between variables were determined using Chi-Square and logistic regression model. The results showed that respondents were generally aware of the existence of laws on agriculture, environment and consumer health, although none of them could name a specific Act. The results revealed further that 94.5% of the farmers read instructions on the pesticides label. However, only 21% used the correct doses of pesticides, 40.7% stored pesticides in special stores, 68.1% used protective gear, while 94.5% always read instructions on the label before using a pesticide product. Training influenced the application rate of pesticide (p < 0.001) while awareness of agricultural laws significantly influenced farmers’ tendency to read information on the labels (p < 0.001). The results showed further that education significantly influenced the use of protective gears by farmers (p = 0.042). Education also significantly affected the manner in which farmers stored pesticide-applying equipment (p = 0.024). Furthermore, farmers’ awareness of environmental laws significantly (p = 0.03) affected farmers’ disposal of empty pesticide containers. Results of this study suggest the need for express provisions on safe use and handling of pesticides and related offences in the Act, and that compliance should be achieved through education rather than coercion. Results also suggest establishment of pesticide disposal mechanisms and structures to reduce unsafe disposal of pesticide containers. It is recommended that farmers should be educated and trained on proper use of pesticides. Farmers’ awareness on laws affecting food, environment and agriculture should be improved. Keywords: compliance, plant protection, pesticides, law, awareness, agriculture, environment, health, Tanzania

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

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

Repeated Episodes of Endosulfan Poisoning

A number of families in a rural area of Jabalpur District (Madhya Pradesh), India, were affected by repeated episodes of convulsive illness over a period of three weeks. The aim of this investigation was to determine the cause of the illness. The investigation included a house-to-house survey, interviews of affected families, discussions with treating physicians, and examination of hospital records. Endosulfan poisoning was suspected as many villagers were using empty pesticide containers for food storage. To confirm this, our team collected blood and food samples, which were transported to the laboratory and analyzed with GC-ECD. Thirty-six persons of all age groups had illness of varying severity over a period of three weeks. In the first week, due to superstitions and lack of treatment, three children died. In the second week, symptomatic treatment of affected persons in a district hospital led to recovery but recurrence of convulsive episodes occurred after the return home. In the third week, 10 people were again hospitalized in a teaching hospital. Investigations carried out in this hospital ruled out infective etiology but no facilities were available for chemical analysis. All persons responded to symptomatic treatment. The blood and food samples analyzed by our team showed presence of endosulfan, which was confirmed by GCMS. One of the food items (Laddu) prepared from wheat flour was found to contain 676 ppm of alpha-endosulfan. Contamination of wheat grains or flour with endosulfan and its consumption over a period of time was the most likely cause of repeated episodes of convulsions, but the exact reason for this contamination could not be determined. This report highlights the unsafe disposal of pesticide containers by illiterate farm workers, superstitions leading to delay in treatment, and susceptibility of children to endosulfan.

Assessment of health needs of black agricultural workers in the Mid-Delta of Mississippi, U.S.A.

THE REPORT described in this paper aimed at defining the health needs and identifying some of the medical and social problems of a group of agricultural workers residing in the Mid-Delta of Mis sissippi, U.S.A. One hundred and seventy (170) black households were randomly selected and the heads of such households were interviewed by means of ques tionnaire. The findings with regard to housing facilities and practices in the houses showed that good ventila tion was lacking in many homes, indoor pollution existed in more than half of the houses and the occupants concept of environmental hygiene in relation to health and disease was poor. Fifty one per cent of the men interviewed did not associate indiscriminate de faecation or improper sewage disposal with any health hazard. The respondents' knowledge of health hazards associated with pesticides is very poor especially with regard to the disposal of pesticide containers. 56.8 per cent of the men did not associate indiscriminate or improper disposal of pesticides containers with any health hazard, 13.5 per cent claimed there were health hazards whilst the remaining 29.7 per cent did not know. In conclusion, this study has revealed some of the needs of agricultural workers in Leflore county. These include good housing conditions, improved health care delivery system and better knowledge of the harmful effects on health of some respondents' habits and practices. Such goals can only be attained through health education, better medical coverage and involve ment of the community in health care delivery at the local level.

Assessment of hazards associated with pesticide container disposal and of rinsing procedures as a means of enabling disposal of pesticide containers in sanitary landfills.

To study problems associated with pesticide container disposal, a small vegetable production area in southwestern Ontario, the Thedford Marsh, was selected as the site for a model study. A container collection system was organized during the 1981 growing season, with collections being made from the ca. 50 growers on the marsh twice each month. In addition to the regular collection program a cleanup service for empty pesticide containers stored on farms or discarded on public lands also was initiated. More than 3600 containers were collected and disposed of at an authorized landfill site. Ca. 2/3 were herbicide containers, ca. 1/4 were insecticide containers, and 3% were fungicide containers. Unrinsed containers contained as much as 5 1/2% of the original contents with an average of 1%. Containers rinsed by the triple rinse method or using rinsing devices (E-Z Rinse, JET Rinse) generally contained less than 0.1% of the original content. Some formulations presented rinsing problems due to settling and caking. The results indicated that, while unacceptable quantities of pesticide residues remain in unrinsed containers, most rinsed pesticide containers will be acceptable for disposal at municipal sanitary landfill sites.