Different types of pesticides and chemical fertilizers are in use in Nepal which is harmful to human health. These chemical fertilizers and pesticides are beyond the limitation and restriction. Urea and DAP are mostly used for cereal crops and potash is mostly for vegetables. Pesticides and fertilizers are mostly used in vegetable farming but protection system during the use of pesticides and fertilizer is not satisfactory. So, these chemicals have been negatively affecting the health of the local farmers.
More than 50 years ago, when increased food production was seen to be the most urgent need, a high priority was rightly given world-wide to the eradication of losses in both production and storage that were to weeds, insects and diseases transmitted by insects. Chemists at the time were discovering how to synthesize a range of organic compounds that were lethal to insects and which heralded a revolution in pest control. Use of pesticides causes many hazards in the health of human beings (Sabur and Molla 2001). Several types of pesticides are in use which was recorded after the 1940s in the United States and around the world.
Pesticides have made a great impact on human health. However, the use of pesticides is increasing rapidly during the last four decades (Kumar et al. 2012). It is now known that many if not most of the compounds used in pesticides are carcinogenic, they are lethal to birds and animals including the natural predators of the insects that are to be controlled (Tribe, 1994). Agrochemical used as pesticides and fertilizers is being serious concern mainly in the commercial pockets’ areas of agricultural production, where farmers are suffering from environmental pollution. Incidence of poisoning is also increasing due to intentional, incidental and occupational exposure. Toxic and environmentally persistent chemicals are being used as pesticides. Many studies showed that the chemical pollution of the environment has long term effects on human life (Sharma et al. 2012).
Agrochemicals are powerful weapons in the developing countries to enhance agriculture productivity including Nepal. However, those agrochemicals are causing serious hazards (Bhandari 2014). Generally, many parts of India, farmers do not use the safety masks, gloves and other protective gears during the spraying of pesticides which results into the access of pesticides in the bloodstream through inhalation and dermal exposure which can adversely affect their eyes, skin and the respiratory system. The study shows the relationship between the extent of pesticide used and signs and symptoms of illnesses due to exposure among spray farmers (Sharma and Singhvi 2017). Similarly, in Nepal, too many different types of pesticides have been in use. Several reports of human sickness due to food poisoning have been reported. Health workers have reported that food poisoning in Nepal is being due to the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizer in crops. It is also reported that the use of these chemical fertilizers and pesticides are beyond the limitation and restriction. Pesticides are not as extensively used in Nepal as in other Asian countries in terms of the ratio of active ingredients used per hector of cropland. Thus, hazards caused by pesticides application in Nepal are not only due to the overuse of pesticides but also more due to the misuse of pesticides. The quality of pesticides used is increasing in Nepal without any study about the proper use and its effect on environment, ecosystem and health of the living beings (Ghimire & Khatiwada, 2001).
Despite the availability of the organic compost, the people of Nepal are still using chemical compost and fertilizers. The undeniable truth is seen but ignored by both the producers and the consumers of Nepal. What will be the future of Nepal if the use of this chemical compost keeps rising at an unimaginable scale?
Source: Impact of Pesticide and Fertilizer on Human Health: A Case Study in Godawari Area, Lalitpur, Nepal Nirmala Basnet1 Chabbi Lal Chidi
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