DANIDA

Strengthening Farmers’ IPM in Pesticide-Intensive Areas

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28 April-2 May 2003

 

 

 

Farmers poisoned with pesticides

A training was organized for a group of vegetable growers in Suphanburi to learn about the health hazards of pesticides. The farmers collected information about the types of pesticides used in their community, calculated how much pesticide they use, observed how these chemicals are stored and used, and learned to recognize signs and symptoms of pesticide poisoning.

Most farmers commonly use pesticides belonging to the chemical families "Organophosphates". Many of these are highly toxic and affect the human central nervous system (brain) and peripheral nervous system (nerves found outside of the brain or spinal cord). These chemicals attach themselves to the enzyme acetylcholinesterase that stops nerve transmission. The suppression of this enzyme then causes continuous electrical nerve transmission which particularly affects the muscles, glands and smooth muscles that make the body organs function.

Contamination of acetylcholinesterase inhibiting pesticides can be measured with a simple blood test. In collaboration with officers of the Ministry of Public Health, blood of 16 participants was tested during the training program. The test produces a color coded result which divides the farmers in 4 groups: "free", "safe", "risk", and "dangerous". It was found that 7 persons had been contaminated with risky (5) or dangerous (2) levels of acetylcholinesterase inhibiting pesticides.

During the last day of the training, the farmers presented their results to members of their community and started making an action plan to continue monitoring the impact of pesticides on their health and to find ways to reduce these risks.

 

For the blood test, a small sample of blood is taken from the finger.

 

Blood samples ready for testing.

 

16 persons were tested for contamination with acetylcholinesterase inhibiting pesticides. The results showed "risk" level for 5 person and "dangerous" level for 2 persons.

 

The results of the blood test are discussed with the farmers.

 
Farmers found out that many of the pesticides they are using are classified in toxicity classes 1a and 1b. Even a very toxic pesticide that is banned in Thailand (Monocrotophos, banned since 2000) was still being used.

 
Almost all farmers in the training regularly use pesticides belonging to the chemical family "Organophosphates". These are acetylcholinesterase inhibiting chemicals that harm the nervous system.

 
Farmers calculated how much pesticide they spray each year and how many days per year they are at risk. 

 

Participant farmers invited members of their community and presented the results of their pesticide-health survey.