Evaluation of two-year recall of self-reported pesticide exposure among Ugandan smallholder farmers

We detected between 2 and 10 pesticides per person with novel sampling devices worn by 35 participants who were actively engaged in farming in Diender, Senegal. Participants were recruited to wear silicone wristbands for each of two separate periods of up to 5 days. Pesticide exposure profiles were highly individualized with only limited associations with demographic data. Using a 63-pesticide dual-column gas chromatography–electron capture detector (GC-ECD) method, we detected pyrethoid insecticides most frequently, followed by organophosphate pesticides which have been linked to adverse health outcomes. This work provides the first report of individualized exposure profiles among smallholder farmers in West Africa, where logistical and practical constraints have prevented the use of more traditional approaches to exposure assessment in the past. The wristbands and associated analytical method enabled detection of a broad range of agricultural, domestic, legacy and current-use pesticides, including esfenvalerate, cypermethrin, lindane, DDT and chlorpyrifos. Participants reported the use of 13 pesticide active ingredients while wearing wristbands. All six of the pesticides that were both reportedly used and included in the analytical method were detected in at least one wristband. An additional 19 pesticide compounds were detected beyond those that were reported to be in use, highlighting the importance of measuring exposure in addition to collecting surveys and self-reported use records. The wristband method is a candidate for more widespread use in pesticide exposure and health monitoring, and in the development of evidence-based policies for human health protection in an area where food security concerns are likely to intensify agricultural production and pesticide use in the near future.

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Long-Term Neurological and Psychological Distress Symptoms among Smallholder Farmers in Costa Rica with a History of Acute Pesticide Poisoning

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18179021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (17) ◽

pp. 9021 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andrea Farnham ◽

Samuel Fuhrimann ◽

Philipp Staudacher ◽

Marcela Quirós-Lépiz ◽

Carly Hyland ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Costa Rica ◽

Pesticide Exposure ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Brief Symptom Inventory ◽

Paranoid Ideation ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Distress Symptoms

Studies suggest that acute pesticide poisonings (APP) may be linked with long-term neurological effects. To examine long-term neurological and psychological distress symptoms associated with having experienced an APP, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 300 conventional and organic smallholder farmers from Zarcero County, Costa Rica, May–August 2016. We collected self-reported data on sociodemographic characteristics, occupational history, pesticide exposure, APPs, neurological and psychological distress symptoms (using the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI)). Adjusted logistic regression models were fit. A total of 14% of the farmers (98% male) reported experiencing at least one APP during their lifetime. Self-reported APP was associated with neurological symptoms during the 12 months prior to interview (e.g., fainting (Odds Ratio: 7.48, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.83, 30.74), shaking hands (3.50; 1.60, 7.60), numbness/tingling in hands or feet (3.23; 1.66, 6.32), insomnia (2.53; 1.34, 4.79), accelerated heartrate (2.42; 1.03, 5.47), dizziness (2.38; 1.19, 4.72), increased irritability/anger (2.37; 1.23, 4.55), low energy (2.33; 1.23, 4.46), and difficulty concentrating (2.01; 1.05, 3.85)). Farmers who reported an APP in the ten years prior to interview experienced increased odds of abnormal BSI scores for hostility (4.51; 1.16, 17.70) and paranoid ideation (3.76; 0.99, 18.18). Having experienced an APP may be associated with long-term neurological and psychological distress symptoms.

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Age, Genetics Affect PD Risk in Pesticide Exposure

Clinical Psychiatry News ◽

10.1016/s0270-6644(09)70234-6 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 37 (7) ◽

pp. 21

Author(s):

JEFF EVANS

Keyword(s):

Pesticide Exposure

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Pesticide Exposure Linked to Increased Dementia Risk

Clinical Psychiatry News ◽

10.1016/s0270-6644(09)70448-5 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 37 (12) ◽

pp. 31

Author(s):

MICHELE G. SULLIVAN

Keyword(s):

Pesticide Exposure ◽

Dementia Risk

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Towards demand-driven services? The role of feedback mechanisms in agribusiness-based advisory services for smallholder farmers

Enterprise Development and Microfinance ◽

10.3362/1755-1986.19-00026 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 206-220

Author(s):

Verena Bitzer ◽

Anne Rappoldt ◽

Laurens Van Veldhuizen ◽

Remco Mur

Keyword(s):

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Feedback Mechanisms ◽

Advisory Services

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Challenges of Aircraft and Drone Spray Applications

Outlooks on Pest Management ◽

10.1564/v31_apr_07 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 83-88 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Fernando K. Carvalho ◽

Rodolfo G. Chechetto ◽

Alisson A. B. Mota ◽

Ulisses R. Antuniassi

Keyword(s):

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Crop Protection ◽

Crop Canopy ◽

Target Species ◽

Buffer Zones ◽

Correct Dose ◽

Knapsack Sprayer ◽

Water Courses ◽

Low Toxicity ◽

Heavy Loads

Crop protection on major crops is now required to follow the principles of integrated pest management so the timing and accuracy of any application of a pesticide or biopesticide has to be more precise to minimize adverse effects on non-target species. The development of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) provides a means of providing a more targeted application of the correct dose, especially by using formulations that are more persistent, thus minimizing loss of spray in areas subject to rain. Avoiding use of too high a dosage allows greater survival of natural enemies and reduces the selection pressure for pests becoming resistant to specific modes of action. The downward flow of air from a UAV should also provide better distribution and impaction of droplets within a crop canopy, reduce soil impaction caused by taking heavy loads of spray applied with 200 l ha–1 of water, and allow treatments when fields are too wet to access with ground equipment. In Asia, many smallholder farmers are using a drone in preference to using a knapsack sprayer. According to Matthews, it has been shown that ULV spraying can be effective, but it needs a narrow droplet spectrum with the droplets remaining stable and not shrinking to become too small. Formulation research can reduce the volatility of the spray, hence the success of oil-based sprays. However, instead of petroleum-based oils, there is a chance to develop vegetable oil carriers with micro-sized particle suspensions to deliver low toxicity pesticides in droplets that can be deposited within the crop and not drift beyond the crop boundary. Oil deposits will be less prone to loss after rain so less should be lost in neighbouring ditches and water courses, especially as rainfall patterns are forecast to change. More studies are needed to evaluate the swath for deposition, buffer zones, formulation, nozzle selection, to guide future specific legislation for UAV applications.

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