The agromedical approach : General considerations

Human health and agriculture are inextricably related. A balanced nutrition provided by a productive agriculture contributes to the health and wellbeing of man, improves his resistance to disease, and enhances his capability for productivity. A variety of pest reduce agricultural productivity by as much as 50 per cent or more and are also carriers of human disease. Pest control, therefore, is essential to the well-being of society. Chemicals are extensively used for pest control, but, when improperly used, contribute to both health and environmental problems. An approach called the "Agromedical Approach" has evolved for insuring proper use of pesticides, protection of human health and encouragement of production of agriculture (AU)

Toxicological and environmental implications of pesticide resistance : A significant agromedical problem

This chapter presents an overview of the evolution, current scope and inter-relationships of pesticide resistance problems in both agriculture and public health and the associated toxicological and environmental implications. The problems illustrate the need to develop an agromedical approach to formulate successful pest management programs. Special comments are provided on the nature of operational problems and the necessity to incorporate rational use of pesticides with traditional methods of pest management which are ecologically and environmentally acceptable. A series of special recommendations are presented for consideration of officials who are responsible for developing integrated pest management programs for control of pest species of concern to agriculture and public health (AU)

Registration and labeling

Registration of pesticides in the developed countries is a highly complex and expensive process requiring large amounts of scientific data, but most data on the fate, movement and effect of pesticides developed in one part of the world can be directly extrapolated to other areas. Where possible, developing countries should expend their major effort at gaining the non-transferable information and utilize directly, where possible and without substantial modification, those regulatory decisions made in the developed countries. As a general rule what is not good for a developed country is not good for a developing country. Pesticides which are severely restricted in developed countries on the basis of acute toxicity, if allowed for general use by the small farmer in a developing country, will with a certainty take a heavy toll in lives and physical impairment. Likewise the persistent chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides, while safe from an acute standpoint, will lead not only to long-term contamination of soil and the aggregate environment but will materially affect the number and diversity of native fish and wildlife species. Additionally, due to their potential for bioaccumulation, the chlorinated pesticides will concentrate over time in certain segments of the environment, including human mothers milk and exert their long-term influence as excessive residues in human body fat (AU)

Regional differences of agromedical problems : I. Agromedical problems in humid tropical areas ; II. The public health perspective ; III. Persistence of chemicals

This chapter outlines features of the tropical region as they relate to pesticide protection. Three major areas are examined : public health diseases, geographical factors influencing chemical persistence and geographical impacts on agromedicine. The need is emphasized for tropical countries to develop relevant intermediate technology and an infrastructure which would allow the increasing quantities of pesticides in the region to be used with maximun human and environmental safety. The implications of this increased use of pesticides in the tropics are discussed in this chapter. Reference will be made to the actual or potential effects of pesticide use on human and environmental health in the area. Focus will be directed on possible solutions for problems which have been identified (AU)

Implementation of agromedical concepts

Previous chapters have dealt with specific concerns in agromedical programming. This chapter attempts to summarize some of the techniques and ideas for integration and implementation of these practices in a holistic program. Particular emphasis is given to the development of an agromedical organization appropriate to the needs, the laws, and the resources of the country. The essential ingredients include a) a knowledge of integrated pest management and a work force which is knowledgeable on all of the alternative tactics for pest management, b) a regulatory system that is reasonable and enforceable, c) an efficient analytical capability, and d) an interdisciplinary agromedical insfrastructure (AU)