Study Reveals Health Risks of Pesticide Use Among Farmers

Rajnish Panday | Lucknow

A recent study published in the journal Toxicology and Environmental Health Science has raised alarming concerns about the health risks of Pesticide posed to farmers and their families. The research indicates that improper safety practices during pesticide application, such as failing to wear masks and gloves, are leading to serious health complications, including kidney failure.

Professor Namrata Rao from the Nephrology Department at Lohia Institute in Lucknow conducted a study involving 100 kidney patients from various districts in Purvanchal, including Lucknow, Warabanki, Gonda, Azamgarh, and Deoria. The majority of these patients were farmers, and the findings revealed that pesticide exposure is a significant factor in the rising cases of kidney failure among this demographic.

The study found that pesticide levels in the urine of the farmers were more than double the acceptable limits, raising serious concerns about their health. Many of these farmers reported a lack of knowledge regarding safety standards, leading them to engage in unsafe pesticide application practices.

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Moreover, the research revealed that the family members of these farmers were also tested and found to have increased pesticide levels in their urine, suggesting that the harmful effects of pesticide exposure extend beyond the farmers themselves and pose a risk to their families as well. Prolonged exposure could potentially lead to kidney issues for these family members in the future.

The types of pesticides detected in the urine of the patients were typically of lower quality and not commonly found in branded products, indicating a trend among farmers to use cheaper, inferior pesticides.

Professor Rao emphasized the importance of raising awareness and education about the risks associated with pesticide use in agriculture. As cases of kidney failure continue to rise among farmers, there is an urgent need for improved safety practices and regulations in pesticide application.

This study highlights a critical public health issue affecting the agricultural community and calls for immediate action to safeguard the health of farmers and their families.