Pesticides are Poisons
It is estimated that there are 25 million cases of pesticide poisoning each
year, and 80% of all poisonings occur in developing countries where regulatory, health, and education systems are weakest.
For more than a decade the staff and associates of The Field Alliance have been
working to reduce the use of pesticides by supporting training of farmers in
Integrated Pest Management' (IPM).
In addition to IPM training, innovative health studies have been
facilitated by Field Alliance Partners in a number of countries. During
these studies, farmers and school children have collected and analysed
data about the use of pesticides in their communities and recorded signs
and symptoms of poisoning. The results are helping rural families to make
healthier decisions, while also providing policy makers with a 'reality
check' which may encourage them to strengthen pesticide
regulations.
Documents On-line
Health
Effects of Pesticide Use: Methods for Conducting Community Studies with Farmers
and Children. The latest version of a manual written by Helen Murphy who has
developed these training and action research activities in collaboration with
IPM trainers including those now working with The Field Alliance [pdf file, 30
pages, 1.1 MB].
Summary of Farmer Health Studies. This report provides an analysis of 11 studies presented at the Conference on Health Effects of Pesticides, March 2002, sponsored by PAN and the FAO Community IPM
Programme [doc file, 31 pages, 339 KB].
Ban Pa Thorn School Children’s Studies on the Health Effects
of Pesticides. Detailed description of a study carried out in
Thailand, documented by Pornphan Namrat and Mongkon Tianponkrang for
Thai Education Foundation, February 2002 [document to be added soon].
A Survey on the Health Effects of Pesticides Survey as Part of a Farmer
Field School Exercise in Cambodia. Ang Soa Yan, Kouk Keuk and Say
San, IPM Farmer Trainer, FAO/Srer Khmer, Cambodia, February 2002 [document
to be added soon].
Useful Websites
Toxic Trail. A site developed
by staff of The Field Alliance to supplement the BBC documentary about
pesticides and IPM in Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia. Fact-sheets and
scientific papers can be downloaded from the site.
Pesticide Action Network (PAN) is a global coalition of citizen's groups and individuals who oppose the misuse and overuse of pesticides. Three PAN websites provide information about various campaigns and resources.
PAN Asia and Pacific ,
PAN North America,
PAN UK
The Environmental
Defense Fund maintains an on-line database of technical information
about pesticides, with links to other authoritative sources.
For general information about chemicals and health, the World Wildlife Fund has a
Global Toxics Initiative which is a useful source of information about agricultural pollution, persistent organic pollutants (POPS) and endocrine disruptors.
Another good source of information on chemicals and health is the Environmental Research
Foundation. The site includes an archive of Rachel's Weekly, a free newsletter which is available by
e-mail.
