Harmful Effects Of Pesticides Research Articles

Pathogenicity of the Steinernema feltiae TUR-S3 (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) Isolate on Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) and Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

For many years, pesticides have been employed to manage pests that cause losses in agricultural yield and quality during storage. However, as the harmful effects of pesticides on non-target organisms became apparent, alternative approaches gained traction. Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPNs), commonly used in biological control, are now being considered for controlling Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) and Tribolium confusum du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). This study evaluated the efficacy of Steinernema feltiae TUR-S3 (Rhabditida: Steinernema) isolate at five different concentrations (3 Infective Juveniles (IJs)/cm2 (8 IJs/adult), 6 IJs/cm2 (17 IJs/adult), 9 IJs/cm2 (25 IJs/adult), 18 IJs/cm2 (50 IJs/adult), 27 IJs/cm2 (75 IJs/adult)) against adult O. surinamensis and T. confusum. The results indicated the highest mortality rate, reaching 83.33%, was achieved in both pests at a concentration of 27 IJs/cm2 (75 IJs/adult). This suggests promising potential for controlling O. surinamensis and T. confusum using this approach.

A Detailed Survey on Awareness, Knowledge and Practice of Pesticides Used Against Various Vegetables, Fruits and Cereal Crops Grown in and Around Udaipur Region of South Rajasthan, India

The present study was designed to have an insight into the different crops grown, gain information about the different pesticides used, the various practices adopted for the storage, application, and disposal of pesticides, and to know the awareness status of the farmers of in and around Udaipur region regarding the harmful effects of pesticides. An explicit and detailed questionnaire was prepared and formal interviews and field observations were used to gather information on farmers’ knowledge of pesticides and safety practices. The survey was conducted between February, 2021 to September, 2021. The survey questionnaire was developed to document the information regarding types of crops grown, pesticides used, their dosage and application pattern, and associated hazards. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and getting a questionnaire filled by 304 farmers. The target of the study was explained to these respondents and the questionnaire was duly signed to seek their consent in order to ensure their cooperation, which was very important for the study. It was evident from the survey that 59% of respondents had ensured safe storage and 31% stored them in open fields, 59.44% of respondents placed the empty containers in the trash; 11.24% discarded them in the field and 25.30% burnt them at the farm itself, 87.56% respondents ensured that they washed hands properly with soap after using pesticides; 33.31% ensured the use of face mask and 72.54% respondents were aware of pesticide associated risk and contamination and 27.46% didn’t have many ideas about it. The results reveal that the most commonly used pesticides were 2,4-D, profenofos, phorate, atrazine, endosulfan, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, glyphosate, etc. some of these pesticides are under restricted use and belong to the highly toxic group as classified by World Health Organization. Summing up the results obtained, it is suggested that proper monitoring of pesticides along with awareness amongst the farmers of the Udaipur region is needed to minimize the dangerous effect of pesticides on humans and the environment as 27.46% of respondents which could be either farm owners or

Effective Usage of Biochar and Microorganisms for the Removal of Heavy Metal Ions and Pesticides.

The bioremediation of heavy metal ions and pesticides is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Microbial remediation is considered superior to conventional abiotic remediation processes, due to its cost-effectiveness, decrement of biological and chemical sludge, selectivity toward specific metal ions, and high removal efficiency in dilute effluents. Immobilization technology using biochar as a carrier is one important approach for advancing microbial remediation. This article provides an overview of biochar-based materials, including their design and production strategies, physicochemical properties, and applications as adsorbents and support for microorganisms. Microorganisms that can cope with the various heavy metal ions and/or pesticides that enter the environment are also outlined in this review. Pesticide and heavy metal bioremediation can be influenced by microbial activity, pollutant bioavailability, and environmental factors, such as pH and temperature. Furthermore, by elucidating the interaction mechanisms, this paper summarizes the microbe-mediated remediation of heavy metals and pesticides. In this review, we also compile and discuss those works focusing on the study of various bioremediation strategies utilizing biochar and microorganisms and how the immobilized bacteria on biochar contribute to the improvement of bioremediation strategies. There is also a summary of the sources and harmful effects of pesticides and heavy metals. Finally, based on the research described above, this study outlines the future scope of this field.

Pesticides and Their Impairing Effects on Epithelial Barrier Integrity, Dysbiosis, Disruption of the AhR Signaling Pathway and Development of Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases.

The environmental and occupational risk we confront from agricultural chemicals increases as their presence in natural habitats rises to hazardous levels, building a major part of the exposome. This is of particular concern in low- and middle-income countries, such as Brazil, known as a leading producer of agricultural commodities and consumer of pesticides. As long as public policies continue to encourage the indiscriminate use of pesticides and governments continue to support this strategy instead of endorsing sustainable agricultural alternatives, the environmental burden that damages epithelial barriers will continue to grow. Chronic exposure to environmental contaminants in early life can affect crucial barrier tissue, such as skin epithelium, airways, and intestine, causing increased permeability, leaking, dysbiosis, and inflammation, with serious implications for metabolism and homeostasis. This vicious cycle of exposure to environmental factors and the consequent damage to the epithelial barrier has been associated with an increase in immune-mediated chronic inflammatory diseases. Understanding how the harmful effects of pesticides on the epithelial barrier impact cellular interactions mediated by endogenous sensors that coordinate a successful immune system represents a crucial challenge. In line with the epithelial barrier hypothesis, this narrative review reports the available evidence on the effects of pesticides on epithelial barrier integrity, dysbiosis, AhR signaling, and the consequent development of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Improving knowledge on genotoxicity dynamics in somatic and germ cells of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii).

The harmful effects of pesticides can be extended beyond the exposure time scale. Appraisals combining exposure and long-term post-exposure periods appear as an unavoidable approach in pesticide risk assessment, thus allowing a better understanding of the real impact of agrochemicals in non-target organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the progression of genetic damage in somatic and germ tissues of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii, also seeking for gender-specificities, following exposure (7 days) to penoxsulam (23 μg L-1 ) and a post-exposure (70 days) period. The same approach was applied to the model genotoxicant ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS; 5mg L-1 ) as a complementary mean to improve knowledge on genotoxicity dynamics (induction vs. recovery). Penoxsulam induced DNA damage in all tested tissues, disclosing tissue- and gender-specificities, where females showed to be more vulnerable than males in the gills, while males demonstrated higher susceptibility in what concerns internal organs, that is, hepatopancreas and gonad. Crayfish were unable to recover from the DNA damage induced by EMS in gills and hepatopancreas (both genders) as well as in spermatozoa. The genotoxicity in the hepatopancreas was only perceptible in the post-exposure period. Oxidative DNA lesions were identified in hepatopancreas and spermatozoa of EMS-exposed crayfish. The spermatozoa proved to be the most vulnerable cell type. It became clear that the characterization of the genotoxic hazard of a given agent must integrate a complete set of information, addressing different types of DNA damage, tissue- and gender-specificities, as well as a long-term appraisal of temporal progression of damage.

Cotton Growers Perception Level Regarding Pesticides Practices and Toxic Effects of Pesticides on Cotton Plants as Well as the Environment in Sindh

Purpose: Pesticides are used to stop or control insects, for instance, weeds, dreadful little creatures, and plant pathogens. The perception among cotton growers of beneficial and harmful effects of pesticides on cotton plant and environment, factors concerning with pesticides applications have a very essential role to get maximum yield.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: The 300 samples were collected for this study and the reliability of the questionnaire is checked by Cronbach's Alpha test its worth was 0.92 and items were perfectly correlated to one another. The majority of respondents' age was 31-40 years with education level matriculation. Unfortunately, the low literacy rate and education level of the respondents is discouraging. It is also noticed that a large number of respondents had 31- above acres size of land from which 16-20 acres were used for cotton cultivation. The test statistic provided all probability values are highly significant
 Findings: In conclusion, cotton growers have sufficient knowledge about pesticide practices and excessive usage of pesticides harms the cotton plant as well. It is quite right that pesticides are the major cause of environmental pollution.

Pesticide Impact on Human Health

Use of pesticides have contaminated every ecosystem on the earth since pesticide residues have been reported in water, air, soil, crops, non-target plants and animals. Due to the toxicity, pesticides are potentially hazardous to humans, animals, other organisms, and the environment. Therefore, people who use pesticides or regularly come in contact with them, must understand the relative toxicity, potential health effects, and preventative measures to reduce exposure to the products. Symptoms of pesticide poisoning in human are either topical (develop at the site of pesticide contact) or systemic (occur away from the original point of contact as a result of the pesticide being absorbed into and distributed throughout the body). Common signs and symptoms of acute exposure to active ingredients of insecticide include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness, excessive salivation and tearing, headache, loss of consciousness, Malaise, muscle twitching and weakness, nausea, nervous system depression, pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression, seizures, sweating, vomiting, coma and death in severe case. Exposure of pesticides may result into fatal diseases like cancers, leukaemia and asthma. The risk of health hazards due to pesticide exposure depends on toxicity of the ingredients and the level of exposure. Additionally, children, pregnant women and aging populations are more sensitive to the effects of pesticides. This review provides an overview on harmful effects of pesticides on human health with reference to routes of human exposure, risks of exposure to human and impact on human health

Spirulina Platensis ve Phosmet, Ethion, Methyl Parathion pestisitlerinin Bioremediasyonu

In this study, the bioremediation efficiency of some pesticides in Toxic Industrial Chemical category of CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear) threats with blue-green microalgae was investigated. Although these pesticides are highly harmful to human, living and environmental health, they are highly persistent in nature. Recently, the increasing demand and use of pesticides in the agricultural field poses risks in production, transportation and storage areas. The microalgae we have used are already known for its ability to metabolize pesticides, as well as its use in important areas, especially in the medicine and pharmaceutical industry. Using environmentally friendly bioremediation technique to eliminate or minimize the harmful effects of pesticides contributes to nature and the future. The fact that the selected microalgae and pesticides have not been investigated before proves the originality of our study. Pesticide remediation amount measurements were made by electrochemistry method and it was determined that Spirulina platensis removed Phosmet, Ethion and Methyl Paration by 70.0%, 61.0%, 50.0%, respectively, at the end of the 7th day.

Knowledge of pesticides and health risk associated with their use against pests of vegetable crops in the Tahoua region in Niger

The present study consists in evaluating the peasant practices of using pesticides on vegetable crops. To do this, an interview guide is developed and administered to market gardeners. This guide made it possible to collect the necessary data on pesticides and the practices of their use by producers. Analysis of the results obtained made it possible to identify 17 pesticides used by producers represented by seven (7) chemical families, of which only 11.76% are approved by the Sahelian Pesticides Council (CSP). Insecticides and herbicides dominate with eight (8) products each and one insecticide-acaricide. The interval between treatments varies from 5 to 14 days depending on the operator. The producers observe a delay of less than 24 hours before returning to the plots after a treatment. When spraying 60 to 70% carry out the treatment without any personal protection means and 28.60% use unsuitable means of protection such as (turbans, scarves and sachets). The results of the survey show that 73, 80% of producers are unaware of the risks of using chemical inputs. Most of the producers are victims of poisoning cases, including 30% colds, 21% headaches, 5% dizziness and 2% vomiting. These results are a good indicator from a perspective of preserving producers, consumers and the environment against the harmful effects of pesticides.

Toxicological and ecotoxocological characteristics of pesticides important for their sustainable use

Modern concept of reducing the risk of pesticide use is based on the concept of sustainable use of pesticides. The concept of sustainable use of pesticides presents the range of professional rules, acts, skills of the pesticides use with the aim to promote the plant protection with decreased usage of pesticides, providing, whenever it is possible, advantage to non-chemical methods of plant protection. The most important part of sustainable pesticide usage is integrated plant protection. Integrated plant protection implies the application and integration of all available methods of plant protection which prevent the development of population of the harmful organisms above the level of harmfulness, considering that the usage of means for plant protection is at the level which is economically and ecologically justified. Risks for the human health and the environment is decreased or at least reduced to the minimum by the concept of pesticide application according to the integrated plant protection. Pesticides have certain potential to cause damage effect if people and the other organisms are exposed at the certain conditions and amount. Modern toxicology is directed to determine the safe dose, meaning the dose without the harmful effect as well as finding out the way of safe pesticide use. Considering the modern toxicology, two important terms are hazard and risk. Hazard is the intrinsic characteristic of the chemicals to cause the harmful effect at the defined conditions of the exposition. Risk is probability of manifestation of the harmful effect at the certain conditions of the exposition. The harmful effects of pesticides on humans mostly depend on the pesticides’ own toxicity but on the human’s exposure as well. The exposure of people to pesticides can appear at the working place. Farmers can be exposed to pesticides during the work in the open field and protected space, while the significant exposure can appear with workers in the pesticide industry as well as with workers who deal with jobs of deratization and disinsection and with workers in pesticides wholesale and retail. Estimation of the exposure of the agricultural workers is complex. Professional users are mostly exposed but the exposure is episodic. The particular problem is estimation of the exposure of the field workers and their householders as well. Therefore, while estimating the people’s exposure to pesticides in theresidential buildings, the remains of the pesticides in water, food, dust and air in and around the house is considered. Increased amounts of the pesticides in the house dust are related to exposure which depends on the distance between houses and the pesticide-treated fields, exposure in the house due to the fact that one or two householder work in the agriculture and larger use of pesticides in the residential buildings for treating different insects in the house or yard. Pesticides, besides their negative effects on people’s health, can have harmful effect on the environment, meaning that they can contaminate surface and underground water, soil and air, and to have toxic effects onto non-target organisms. There is a large number of documented papers where is proved that use of pesticides has great consequences onto the population of autochthonous wild animals. Integrated plant protection and sustainable use of pesticides cannot be only a declarative determinant. A wide range of steps have to be undertaken to enable their use in practice. Future imposes huge professional challenges related to the use of pesticides. The need to fulfill the different, sometimes even opposite demands is often imposed. On one side it is demanded to provide pesticides efficiency in protection from the harmful organisms and on the other side sustainable use and decreasing the risk for people and environment. Development of the new pesticides with the new ways of action and improved safety profiles and application of the alternative systems of plant production which will be less dependent on the pesticides could reduce the exposure to pesticides and side effects on people. The use of appropriate and well maintained equipment for pesticide use, while taking all protection measures at all stages of pesticides handling, can reduce the exposure to pesticides. Implementing the concept of sustainable use of pesticides is difficult, but for now it is the only promising way to ensure the protection of people, the environment and the production of healthy food.

Gender Differences in Depressive Symptoms and Work Environment Factors among Dairy Farmers in Japan.

Dairy farmers are more likely than nonfarmers to experience high demands and are at risk of mental health problems. However, there is scarce evidence on the current state of psychological health and related factors among dairy farmers, and the knowledge of potential gender differences is limited. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and its association with work environment characteristics and to identify gender differences. Data were collected from 273 dairy farmer participants (169 males and 104 females) in Japan. Females were more likely to be depressed, and young and middle-aged women appeared to be at risk of depression. For both genders, a demanding work environment was related to depression. There were some gender differences; for example, worries about the harmful effects of pesticides on health and the balancing of family roles and work roles were related to depression in men, while worries about one’s financial situation and the health status of livestock were associated with depression in women. Females benefited from support through direct interaction, while males benefited from involvement in social activities. These findings will contribute to the development of a gender-specific approach to promote psychological health in the dairy farming community.

Preliminary Study on the Differences in Hydrocarbons Between Phosphine-Susceptible and -Resistant Strains of Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) Using Direct Immersion Solid-Phase Microextraction Coupled with GC-MS.

Phosphine resistance is a worldwide issue threatening the grain industry. The cuticles of insects are covered with a layer of lipids, which protect insect bodies from the harmful effects of pesticides. The main components of the cuticular lipids are hydrocarbon compounds. In this research, phosphine-resistant and -susceptible strains of two main stored-grain insects, T. castaneum and R. dominica, were tested to determine the possible role of their cuticular hydrocarbons in phosphine resistance. Direct immersion solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was applied to extract and analyze the cuticular hydrocarbons. The results showed significant differences between the resistant and susceptible strains regarding the cuticular hydrocarbons that were investigated. The resistant insects of both species contained higher amounts than the susceptible insects for the majority of the hydrocarbons, sixteen from cuticular extraction and nineteen from the homogenized body extraction for T. castaneum and eighteen from cuticular extraction and twenty-one from the homogenized body extraction for R. dominica. 3-methylnonacosane and 2-methylheptacosane had the highest significant difference between the susceptible and resistant strains of T. castaneum from the cuticle and the homogenized body, respectively. Unknown5 from the cuticle and 3-methylhentriacontane from the homogenized body recorded the highest significant differences in R. dominica. The higher hydrocarbon content is a key factor in eliminating phosphine from entering resistant insect bodies, acting as a barrier between insects and the surrounding phosphine environment.

The effects of pesticides on respiratory system

<b>Introduction:</b> Most of the pesticides have, by nature, some degree of toxicity because they are intended to kill certain organisms and thus create a risk of damage. The use of pesticides has raised serious concerns, mainly about the potential effects on human health and especially on respiratory system. Thousands of people (from 20,000 to 220,000) lose their life due to pesticide poisoning. Ninety nine percent of them (99%) live in developing countries. <br><b>Purpose:</b> To review the literature, to identify the harmful effects of pesticides on human health, and particularly on the respiratory system, and to define the ways of dealing with them. <br><b>Materials and methods:</b> Extensive review of the relevant literature was performed via electronic databases (Medline, Pubmed, Cihnal and Google scholar) and scientific journals (Greek and international) using the appropriate key words: pesticides, respiratory symptoms, pulmonary disease and a combination of them. <br><b>Results: </b>The effects on human health due to exposure to pesticides depend on a number of factors, including the category of pesticides involved, the amount and type of active substance, as well as their form, route of contamination, exposure time and pesticides' residual dose. Pesticides, especially those that inhibit the action of cholinesterase, lead to the onset of respiratory symptoms. A number of respiratory symptoms and diseases have been associated with occupational pesticide exposures, such as wheezing, asthma cough, phlegm, dyspnoea and influenza like syndrome are reported especially among agricultural workers. <br><b>Conclusions:</b> Pesticides are dangerous substances for the human body and especially for the respiratory system, if they are used without control. Proper use of pesticides can ensure both the quality of the environment and citizen's safety and health. New scientific data require periodic review of safety levels.

Biological control in pest management in Turkey: Comparison of the attributes of participant and non-participant greenhouse farmers in government-subsidized biological control practices

The adoption of biological control methods is increasing in crop production due to concerns and awareness of consumers about food safety and pesticide residue conundrum. Biological control methods are a key component in pest management practices as they minimize the usage of pesticides, hence create less environmental and health problems. Biological control practices have been supported in Turkey since the year 2010 to ensure economical greenhouse production and to reduce the consumption of pesticides for sustainable agricultural production. This solved the pesticide residue conundrum in fresh fruits and vegetables both domestically consumed and exported. The main objective of this study was to compare the attributes of the participant and non-participant farmers in government-subsidized biological control practices for pest management in greenhouse pepper cultivation. The data used in this study were collected from 84 greenhouse growers by using a face-to-face interview in Kas district, Antalya province, in the Mediterranean coastal region of Turkey. The results show a statistically highly significant (p<0.05) relationship between the government-subsidized biological control implemented farms and non-implemented farms with respect to age of farmers, educational level, retirement status of farmers, number of workers, use of agricultural credit, greenhouse working experience, pepper yield, type of greenhouse covering, type of greenhouse ventilation, crop production system, internet usage, farmers association membership, and so on. The results also show that farmers believe biological control practices improve crop quality and yield as well as improve the environment and human health. The agricultural extension agencies and government subsidy policy played an important role in motivating farmers to intensify biological control practices on their farms. Keywords: biological control, greenhouse production, government policy, pest management, sustainability, sweet pepper, Turkey Data of the article First received: 29 November 2018 | Last revision received: 05 September 2019Accepted: 07 September 2019 | Published online: 29 November 2019 doi:10.17170/kobra-20190709594 References Abdollahzadeh G, Sharifzadeh MS, Damalas CA (2015) Perceptions of the beneficial and harmful effects of pesticides among Iranian rice growers influence the adoption of biological control. Crop Prot. 75: 124–131 Ahangama D, Gilstrap FE (2007) Constraints to the implementation of biological control in Sri Lanka, Biocontrol Sci Techn, 17 (8): 773-795 Bale JS, Van Lenteren JC, Bigler F (2008) Biological control and sustainable food production. Philos Trans R Soc London [Biol], 363 (1492): 761–776. 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Pesticide practices in coastal agricultural farms of Lebanon

ABSTRACT The agricultural sector in Lebanon relies heavily on agrochemicals for crop protection; thus exposing humans and the environment to the harmful effects of pesticides. This study investigated Lebanese farmers’ pesticide use practices and explored the underlying factors associated with farmers’ choices. Of the 104 surveyed farmers, around 87% were willing to use pesticides that are less toxic to humans and the environment than those currently using, if available. The majority of these farmers (92%) planted their crops in greenhouses. Willingness to use less toxic pesticides was significantly associated with farmers using greenhouses as opposed to open fields, after adjusting for demographic and behavioural characteristics (OR = 7.50; p = 0.010). There was no association between willingness to use less toxic pesticides and perceptions of pesticides’ health effects. Policies banning the import and sale of internationally banned pesticides must be enforced. Farmers must be supported to make informed choices about pesticides and their use.

Knowledge and Perception of Farmers Regarding Pesticide Usage in a Rural Farming Village, Southern India.

Background:Farmers are extensively using pesticides for pest control in agriculture. Their precarious handling practices may lead to higher exposure resulting in adverse health effects.Aim:Current study was aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding pesticide usage and its toxic effects by farmers.Settings and Design:Cross sectional,Study Setting:Rural village in south Karnataka.Materials and Methods:Sample size: 171 farmers, Data collection: face to face standardized validated questionnaire.Statistical Analysis:Chi-square test.Results:A total of 118 males and 53 females participated in this study with median age of 40 years. About 61% of the farmers knew the harmful effects of pesticides. However, 22% of them were mixing the pesticides using their bare hands and 26% were not wearing any protective clothing during spraying pesticides. Around 67% were carelessly disposing the leftover pesticides in the open fields. Skin problems and neurological system disturbances were the most common pesticide related health symptoms. Equipment washing practices (P < 0.05) and protective clothing (P < 0.03) were significant predictors of health related problems. Significant associations were found between the occurrence of headache and equipment washing practices (P < 0.03), storage of pesticide remains (P < 0.02) and protective clothing (P < 0.01).Conclusion:These findings showed that knowledge level is adequate among farmers but this did not reflect in their practice. There is a need for continuous pesticide safety education along with training to the farmers regarding use of personal protective devices, personal hygiene and sanitation practices during and after application of pesticides.

MALDI-imaging analyses of honeybee brains exposed to a neonicotinoid insecticide.

Toxicological studies evaluating the possible harmful effects of pesticides on bees are important and allow the emergence of protection and pollinator conservation strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exposure to a sublethal concentration of imidacloprid (LC50/100 : 0.014651 ng imidacloprid µL-1 diet) on the distribution of certain proteins identified in the brain of Apis mellifera worker bees using a MALDI-imaging approach. This technique enables proteomic analysis of tissues in situ by monitoring the spatiotemporal dynamics of the biochemical processes occurring at a specific time in specific brain neuropils. For this purpose, foraging bees were exposed to an 8-day diet containing a sublethal concentration of imidacloprid corresponding to the LC50/100 . Bees were collected on day 8 of exposure, and their brains analyzed using protein density maps. The results showed that exposure to imidacloprid led to a series of biochemical changes, including alterations in synapse regulation, apoptosis regulation and oxidative stress, which may adversely impair the physiology of these colony bees. Worker bee contact with even tiny amounts of imidacloprid had potent effects leading to the overexpression of a series of proteins related to important cellular processes that were possibly damaged by the insecticide. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Reduction of methomyl and acetamiprid residues from tomatoes after various household washing solutions

ABSTRACTThe removal of pesticide residues is essential in order to control and reduce the harmful effects of pesticides commonly used in agriculture. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of 18 different household washing solutions for the reduction of methomyl and acetamiprid residues from tomatoes. These basic household solutions were used to prepare washing solution to remove pesticides. During this study, tomatoes were divided into two groups: in the first group, tomatoes were treated with the pesticides and the second group was washed with household solutions (distilled water, acetic acid, sodium chloride, ethanol, sodium bicarbonate, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, and liquid soap, lemon juice, mineral water, zam-zam water, whey, milk, and their combinations) after treating with pesticides. The pesticides residues in all samples were extracted by the QuEChERS technique, analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The results showed significant reduction in residues of all washed groups compared with the control (p < 0.01). Acetic acid, sodium chloride+sodium bicarbonate, zam-zam water, acetic acid+sodium chloride, sodium hypochlorite, milk, acetic acid+sodium chloride+sodium bicarbonate, liquid whey, liquid soap, lemon juice, ethanol, and sodium bicarbonate were found to remove more than 50% of both pesticide residues. The effectiveness of washing solutions was different for every type of pesticide. In the same way, blend of washing solutions has shown a synergetic effect on the removal of pesticides and was more effective compared to one solution. This research has raised the potential use of household solutions easily found at home that could be used to remove pesticide residues.

Pesticide Knowledge, Attitudes, and Clothing Practices of Turkish Farmers

The purpose of this study was to assess Turkish farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and clothing practices during pesticide activities. Seventy male farmers from seven districts of the Aegean region of Turkey were interviewed. Farmers indicated a high level of knowledge of adverse health effects associated with pesticides. In contrast to their level of knowledge, over 50% of the farmers had the attitude that pesticides would not be harmful to them. The type of clothing most often worn further supported the farmers’ attitudes: T-shirts or long-sleeve shirts, denim pants, leather shoes, or sandals, all of which provide little protection. Therefore, farmers’ knowledge on the harmful effects of pesticides did not correlate with their clothing practices. Additionally, farmers’ attitudes and clothing practices were inconsistent with each other. A weak but significant correlation between attitudes and clothing practices with a negative direction also supported this. Furthermore, participant farmers indicated bringing contaminated clothing inside the home and laundering contaminated work clothes with regular family clothes, potentially exposing family members by take-home contamination. These findings suggest that the development of training programs to reduce pesticide exposure would benefit Turkish farmers.

Changes in Perceptions and Practices of Farmers and Pesticide Retailers on Safer Pesticide Use and Alternatives: Impacts of a Community Intervention in Chitwan, Nepal.

Unsafe use of hazardous pesticides is a neglected public health problem in developing countries. This survey evaluates the effects of a training program to increase awareness on harmful effects of pesticides and to enhance capacity for safe handling involving 57 trained farmers, 98 neighboring farmers, 94 control farmers, and 23 pesticide retailers from villages in Chitwan, Nepal. Knowledge and attitude–related variables improved in all 3 farmer groups, with a significant trend of better knowledge and attitude from trained to neighboring to control farmers (in 14/16 [87.5%] variables). In practice, there were significant differences among the groups with a trend from trained to neighboring to control farmers (in 10/26 [38.5%] variables).The pesticide retailers also improved on knowledge and practice. In conclusion, training farmers and pesticide retailers improved their knowledge and practice, with possible positive effect on neighboring farmers and control villages as well. An improved extension service to farmers is recommended.