Management and control of agri-chemical pesticides: any progress?

Issues related to agri-chemical pesticides usage and poisonings in South Africa have been well documented. Under-reporting of information required to determine the size of the problem complicates current surveillance and prevention programmes. The study aimed to determine: the procedure for reporting and follow-up of cases of agricultural pesticide poisonings; which factors contributed to the poisoning cases; and whether a biological monitoring programme was in place at the time of 110 reported cases of agri-chemical poisonings on farms in the Boland Health District between 1997 and 2000. A retrospective descriptive survey design involving a record review was applied. The study found that the cases were poorly reported. The follow up system at the local level between local government officials and the farmers was not efficient for the prevention of agrichemical poisonings. The contributory factors were insufficient information and training; the incorrect use of personal protective equipment; the lack of safety of the agri-chemical store; and the absence of a monitoring system on the majority of farms. This study demonstrated that the notification of agricultural chemical poisoning was applied in a fragmentary manner between the different governmental levels and departments

The status of pesticide usage in East Africa

A descriptive epidemiologic study using pretested questionnaires was conducted in East Africa in 1989/90 and looked at various types of pesticides in current usage in the region especially with regard to their procurement; distribution and utilization. Hospital records were examined for reported cases of pesticide poisoning as well as assessing the knowledge and the awareness of health care providers on the recognition and potential of pesticide poisoning. The main pesticide importers in the region were the Ministries of Agriculture whereas distribution was dominated by co-operative unions. Although pesticide regulatory mechanisms existed; their weak structures enabled the importation and usage of pesticides no longer in use in the countries of origin. Incidents of abuse were noted; as in the use of organochlorine pesticides on food crops and reported poisoning cases in the district hospitals where Kenya and Tanzania reported 455 and 736 cases respectively. Though tentative; more than 40 per cent of the health care professionals interviewed could not recognise pesticide poisoning cases. Therefore to avert pesticide related morbidity and mortality in the region; pesticide regulatory bodies need strenghning while pesticide users; the general public and health care workers should be educated on pesticides