Present Aspects and Environmental Impacts of Pesticide Use in Thailand

Abstract

The extensive use of pesticide in Thailand has created some severe problems related to pesticide residues, pest resistance to pesticide and health hazards. In order to clarify the nature and behaviour of pesticide in the tropical environment of Thailand, the surveys of pesticide residues in soil, water, sediment, fish and shellfish to quantify the existence levels of pesticide residues were carried out during 1987–1989. The results revealed that several organochlorine pesticides some of which are no more in use now and also some organophosphorus were found remained at trace amounts in the environmental samples. The study on impact of pesticide residues on rice paddy environment had been carried out and there was no implication for short term effects from pesticide residues detected. The occupational health hazard of pesticide had also been identified and characterized by interview and field visits to formulating and repackaging plants. There was indication that hazards existed in pesticide formulating and repackaging plants in Thailand. Control measures and standard enforcement have been implemented in order to achieve hazard reduction. © 1996, Pesticide Science Society of Japan. All rights reserved.