Household pesticide use: attitudes, behaviors, and health risks
Abstract
The main objective of the scientific study was to determine the level of use and attitudes toward the use of pesticides designed for domestic use. Pesticides, intentionally released toxic substances, have the potential to cause adverse health effects even at very low exposure levels, including hormonal disorders, asthma, allergies, and cancer. The rate of pesticide usage and attitudes toward pesticides in the home were measured through an online questionnaire that was completed by a total of 250 respondents. Based on the data collected, we found that the majority of respondents use pesticides in their homes to control insects. The questions in the questionnaire were focused on the respondents' practices in handling, application, storage, disposal, and purchasing of pesticides. Exposure to pesticides can result in mild symptoms, such as vomiting, through to more severe consequences like cancer. Despite the risks associated with pesticide use, regulatory measures are in place; however, misuse often stems from improper storage and disposal practices. We found that gender did not influence safe pesticide handling behavior, although women exhibited more responsible behaviour in purchasing, storing, and disposing of pesticides. Compared to men, women had a higher overall mean score for attitude towards pesticides and thus approached pesticides more responsibly than men. We examined differences in pesticide handling behaviour between urban and rural residents. Based on the data collected, we found that attitudes towards pesticides of urban and rural dwellers are not different. Through the statistical analysis, we concluded that respondents' attitudes towards pesticides influence safe behaviour in purchasing, handling, storage, and disposal of pesticides. The more positive the respondents' attitude toward pesticides, the more responsible their attitude towards pesticides.
Keywords
Pesticides, Attitude, Behaviour, Household, Safety, Enviroment
References
- Adje, U., & Aremu, T. (2020). Evaluating Safety Practices Associated With Use of Household Pesticides: An Interventional Study in Kurmin Mashi Rural Community, Kaduna, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 24(2), 279–285. https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v24i2.14
- Alavanja, M. C., Hoppin, J. A., & Kamel, F. (2004, April 1). Health Effects of Chronic Pesticide Exposure: Cancer and Neurotoxicity. Annual Review of Public Health, 25(1), 155–197. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.25.101802.123020
- Azratul-Hizayu, T., Chen, C. D., Azrizal-Wahid, N., Sofian-Azirun, M., Chew, F. P., & Low, V. L. (2021, January 1). Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on the Use of Household Insecticide Products: Is the Awareness in Place? Journal of Integrated Pest Management, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmab040
- Bagheri, A., Pirmoazen, S., & Allahyari, M. S. (2021). Assessment of farmers understanding of the pictograms displayed on pesticide labels. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(14), 17812-17825. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11821-w
- Bass, J. K., Ortega, L., Rosales, C., Petersen, N. J., & Philen, R. M. (2001, March). What’s being used at home: a household pesticide survey. Revista Panamericana De Salud Pública, 9(3), 138–144. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1020-49892001000300002
- Bizer GY, Barden JC, Petty RE. Attitudes. In: Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd; 2006.
- Bulut, B. (2019). Correlation between global citizenship and sustainable development awareness levels of pre-service teachers. International Online Journal of Educational Sciences. 11(3), 279-293. http://dx.doi.org/10.15345/iojes.2019.03.019
- Cacioppo, J. T., Petty, R. E., Losch, M. E., & Crites, S. L. (1994). Psychophysiological approaches to attitudes: detecting affective dispositions when people won't say, can't say, or don't even know. In S. Shavitt, & T. C. Brock (Eds.), Persuasion: Psychological insights and perspectives (pp. 43-69). Allyn & Bacon.
- Coppin, D. M., Eisenhauer, B. W., & Krannich, R. S. (2002, March). Is Pesticide Use Socially Acceptable? A Comparison between Urban and Rural Settings. Social Science Quarterly, 83(1), 379–394. https://doi.org/10.1111/1540-6237.00090
- Collado, S., Evans, G. W., & Sorrel, M. A. (2017). The role of parents and best friends in children's pro-environmentalism: Differences according to age and gender. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 54, 27-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2017.09.007
