Pesticide poisoning: a major health problem in Sri Lanka

Wim van der Hoek; F Konradsen; K Athukorala; T Wanigadewa

Pesticide poisoning: a major health problem in Sri Lanka

Wim van der Hoek, F Konradsen, K Athukorala, T Wanigadewa

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › peer review

177 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

Udgivelsesdato: null-null

Originalsprog	Engelsk
Tidsskrift	Social Science & Medicine
Vol/bind	46
Udgave nummer	4-5
Sider (fra-til)	495-504
Antal sider	9
ISSN	0277-9536
Status	Udgivet - 1998

Bibliografisk note

Keywords: Adult; Agriculture; Female; Humans; Male; Pesticides; Poisoning; Sri Lanka; Suicide

Citationsformater

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title = "Pesticide poisoning: a major health problem in Sri Lanka",

abstract = "Acute pesticide poisoning is a major public health problem in Sri Lanka. In several agricultural districts, it precedes all other causes of death in government hospitals. Most of the acute poisoning cases are intentional (suicide) and occur among young adults, mainly males. Poisoning due to occupational exposure is also common, but less well documented. In an irrigation area in Sri Lanka a very high incidence of serious pesticide poisoning was observed, with 68% due to intentional ingestion of liquid pesticides. It is argued that the easy availability and widespread use of highly hazardous pesticides is the most important reason for this high number of poisoning cases. The frequent application of highly hazardous pesticides in high concentrations was often irrational and posed serious health and financial risks to the farmers. Sales promotion activities and credit facilities promoted this excessive pesticide use, which was not counteracted by an agricultural extension service. Hazardous practices when spraying pesticides were due to the impossibility of applying recommended protective measures under the local conditions, rather than to lack of knowledge. Current emphasis on programs that promote the safe use of pesticides through education and training of farmers will be ineffective in Sri Lanka because knowledge is already high and most poisoning cases are intentional. Instead, enforcement of legislation to restrict availability of the most hazardous pesticides would result in an immediate health benefit. Improved agricultural extension services to promote alternative non-chemical methods of pest control is the most important strategy, in the long term, to prevent acute pesticide poisoning.",

author = "Hoek, {Wim van der} and F Konradsen and K Athukorala and T Wanigadewa",

note = "Keywords: Adult; Agriculture; Female; Humans; Male; Pesticides; Poisoning; Sri Lanka; Suicide",

year = "1998",

language = "English",

volume = "46",

pages = "495--504",

journal = "Social Science & Medicine",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Pesticide poisoning: a major health problem in Sri Lanka

AU - Hoek, Wim van der

AU - Konradsen, F

AU - Athukorala, K

AU - Wanigadewa, T

N1 - Keywords: Adult; Agriculture; Female; Humans; Male; Pesticides; Poisoning; Sri Lanka; Suicide

PY - 1998

Y1 - 1998

N2 - Acute pesticide poisoning is a major public health problem in Sri Lanka. In several agricultural districts, it precedes all other causes of death in government hospitals. Most of the acute poisoning cases are intentional (suicide) and occur among young adults, mainly males. Poisoning due to occupational exposure is also common, but less well documented. In an irrigation area in Sri Lanka a very high incidence of serious pesticide poisoning was observed, with 68% due to intentional ingestion of liquid pesticides. It is argued that the easy availability and widespread use of highly hazardous pesticides is the most important reason for this high number of poisoning cases. The frequent application of highly hazardous pesticides in high concentrations was often irrational and posed serious health and financial risks to the farmers. Sales promotion activities and credit facilities promoted this excessive pesticide use, which was not counteracted by an agricultural extension service. Hazardous practices when spraying pesticides were due to the impossibility of applying recommended protective measures under the local conditions, rather than to lack of knowledge. Current emphasis on programs that promote the safe use of pesticides through education and training of farmers will be ineffective in Sri Lanka because knowledge is already high and most poisoning cases are intentional. Instead, enforcement of legislation to restrict availability of the most hazardous pesticides would result in an immediate health benefit. Improved agricultural extension services to promote alternative non-chemical methods of pest control is the most important strategy, in the long term, to prevent acute pesticide poisoning.

AB - Acute pesticide poisoning is a major public health problem in Sri Lanka. In several agricultural districts, it precedes all other causes of death in government hospitals. Most of the acute poisoning cases are intentional (suicide) and occur among young adults, mainly males. Poisoning due to occupational exposure is also common, but less well documented. In an irrigation area in Sri Lanka a very high incidence of serious pesticide poisoning was observed, with 68% due to intentional ingestion of liquid pesticides. It is argued that the easy availability and widespread use of highly hazardous pesticides is the most important reason for this high number of poisoning cases. The frequent application of highly hazardous pesticides in high concentrations was often irrational and posed serious health and financial risks to the farmers. Sales promotion activities and credit facilities promoted this excessive pesticide use, which was not counteracted by an agricultural extension service. Hazardous practices when spraying pesticides were due to the impossibility of applying recommended protective measures under the local conditions, rather than to lack of knowledge. Current emphasis on programs that promote the safe use of pesticides through education and training of farmers will be ineffective in Sri Lanka because knowledge is already high and most poisoning cases are intentional. Instead, enforcement of legislation to restrict availability of the most hazardous pesticides would result in an immediate health benefit. Improved agricultural extension services to promote alternative non-chemical methods of pest control is the most important strategy, in the long term, to prevent acute pesticide poisoning.

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 9460829

VL - 46

SP - 495

EP - 504

JO - Social Science & Medicine

JF - Social Science & Medicine

SN - 0277-9536

IS - 4-5

ER -