Post on 28-Jan-2018
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,