IMPACT OF PESTICIDES

ON HUMAN HEALTH

Prepared by,

Swati. M. Pujar

BSc II Year

R. L. Science College,

Belgavi

Contents:

What are Pesticides?

Routes of Exposure

Harmful effects of

Fungicides

Herbicides

Insecticides

Major health disorders

Remidies

Conclusion

What are pesticides?

A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling any pest.

Mode of action of pesticides is not specific to

one species. Hence they often kill or harm

organisms other than pests, including

humans.

The WHO estimates that there are 3 million

cases of pesticide poisoning each year and

up to 2,20,000 deaths primarily in developing

countries.

Routes of exposure

Wind (Inhalation)

Dermal Penetration

Absorbed into the soil and then taken up by

other organisms

Contaminates ground water

May be absorbed by the plants

May flow into other water sources

Harmful Effects of Some Pesticide Families

Fungicides

Fungicides can be irritating to the skin and

eyes.

Inhalation of spray mist or dust from these

pesticides may cause throat irritation,

sneezing, and coughing.

Chronic exposures to lower concentrations of

fungicides can cause adverse health effects.

Few fungicides are: Azoxystrobin, Copper

Compounds, Pentachloronitrobenzene, Sulfur

etc

Herbicides

Many can be dermal irritants since they are

often strong acids, amines, esters, and

phenols.

Inhalation of spray mist may cause coughing

and a burning sensation in the nasal

passages and chest.

Prolonged inhalation sometimes causes

dizziness.

Ingestion will usually cause vomiting, a

burning sensation in the stomach, diarrhea,

and muscle twitching.

Few Herbicides are: 2,4-

dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, Glyphosate,

Propanil, Atrazine

Insecticides

Insecticides cause the greatest number of

pesticide poisonings.

Acute exposure to organophosphate and

carbamate insecticides.

Organophosphates and carbamates inhibit

the enzyme cholinesterase, causing a

disruption of the nervous system.

All life forms with cholinesterase in their

nervous system, such as insects, fish, birds,

humans, and other mammals, can be

poisoned by these chemicals.

Organophosphate insecticides include

diazinon, dimethoate, disulfoton, methyl

parathion, and ethyl parathion. The

carbamate compounds include carbaryl,

carbofuran, methomyl, and oxamyl.

Major health disorders:

Cancer

Neurodevelopment problems, children’s IQ,

behavioral disorders

Birth defects

Foetal Growth: Measures of foetal growth

commonly include birth weight, head

circumference, and intrauterine growth restriction.

Respiratory Disorders

Metabolic disorders – obesity, diabetes,

metabolic disease

Remidies:

Switching to Organic Farming

Substitution: Replacement of hazardous

pesticides by less hazardous alternatives

Integrated Pest Management

Create awareness among the people

Conclusion:

Pesticide contamination a great risk to the

environment and organisms

Action is to be taken at a regulatory level to

recognise the problems of ongoing low dose

exposure to mixtures of pesticides,