Health Risks associated with Occupational Exposure of Pesticides: An Indian Scenario

Pesticides are widely used in agricultural sector to kill variety of pests which adversely affect the crop growth and productivity. In developing countries like India, the farmers who are involved in pesticide spraying are prone to get the exposure and acquire some toxic effects. Health risks due to exposure of pesticides among farmers is a significant problem in India because of the improper and unsafe occupational practices employed. Present epidemiological study depicts the health problems, assessment of associated biochemical abnormalities and genetic polymorphism of farmers involved in spraying pesticides in agricultural sector of North India, so as to understand the mechanism of pesticide toxicity and susceptibility among them. This study suggests that pesticide sprayers should follow safe and precautionary measures during their work practices to combat the pesticide exposure. The study also recommends proper legislation and its stringent implementation for safe occupational practices among farmers who spray pesticides.

Dr. Mohammad Fareed is presently working as an Assistant Professor at College of Medicine, Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He obtained his Ph.D. from Integral University, Lucknow, India. He performed his research in the the field of Occupational Health at Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, India.