Pesticide toxicity associated with health conditions of the farmers in Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

Pesticide spray by the farmers in agriculture sector is at large scale, which may alter their health. This work was aimed to assess the health conditions among two groups of the farmers; the subject group comprised 'pesticide spray-workers' and the volunteer controls were those away from this occupation. This study indicated the major difference in health status of the subject and control groups hence revealed the pesticide effects on major organ systems of their body. Conclusively the ill health conditaions of the farmers associated with pesticide exposures seem enhanced due to certain allied factors i.e. poor diet, inappropriate protective measures and hot climate. Therefore legislation for Toxic Exposure Surveillance Program (TESP), Crop Management (CM) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is suggested for safety of farmers' health