Human Health Effects of Pesticide Residues

Yıl 2017, Sayı: Issue 1(2) - 3. INTERNATIONAL BIOCIDAL CONGRESS, 12 - 12, 01.02.2017

Saliha Çelik Mehmet Gökdeniz Muhsin Akbaba

Öz

Pesticides
have been used in the second half of the twentieth century. Although the
agricultural benefits; residues, durability, pollution and health problems
resulting from irrational and uncontrolled application have been shown up and
pesticide use has become increasingly questionable. Pesticides pose significant
risks for the whole society, especially those who are working in the
manufacturing and agriculture. Organophosphate pesticides which are highly
toxic and their retention is up to 12 weeks, are the most widely used ones.
Organophosphate exposure has been found to cause permanent nervous system
damage. Organochlorine pesticides are forbidden in our country along with many
other developed countries since1970s but the effects are still continuing. They
can exist on the plants and soil for a long time (30-40 years) and have very
long half-lives. Residues have been measured in air, water, sediment and fish.
Due to daily intake and environmental exposure these chemicals accumulate in
the human body. Even very low levels of pesticide residues are known to cause a
variety of diseases. Scientific studies have shown that many of the pesticides
are carcinogenic, mutagenic, neurotoxic and can cause many chronic effects such
as sterility, birth defects and endocrine disorders. In a study made by
D.W.Knipe and colleagues on 50 hair samples, above 80% was found to be
diethylphosphate positive. Studies show that individuals exposed to pesticides
and dealing with agriculture compared to those not exposed to these compounds
have structural and numerical chromosome aberrations with repeated high rates
of sister chromatid exchange. Various preventions should be taken against the
adverse effects of pesticides for human and environmental health. In order to
minimize the amount of pesticide residues; appropriate time and dosage of
pesticide use, manufacturers’ education and consumers’ awareness should be
provided. Safe use of these products is important for the protection of public
health.

 

 

 

Keywords:
Pesticide
Residue, Public Health, Environmental Health

Anahtar Kelimeler

Human Health Effects of Pesticide Residues

Kaynakça

• Saliha Çelik, Mehmet Gökdeniz, Muhsin Akbaba Cukurova University Medicine Faculty, Public Health Department, Adana