Unsafe Use of Pesticide and Its Impact on Health of Farmers: A Case Study in Burichong Upazila, Bangladesh

Abstract

Farmers of Bangladesh frequently use different types of pesticides in vegetable fields following the advice of untrained traders or salespersons. Three-fourths of farmers adopt safety measures partially but cannot avoid skin, eye, gastro-intestinal, urine and sexual and other diseases. Most farmers spray two days in a week but sometimes apply pesticides every day and harvest vegetable soon after; more than three-fourths don't know about the waiting period before collection. Consequently, pesticide residues (Diazinon and Quinalphos) are detected in 67% of marketed vegetables (long yard bean) which are above Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). Respondents strongly believe that vegetables grown with the use of pesticide causes various chronic and acute diseases to consumers.