Impact of pesticide use on the health of farmers: A study in Barak valley, Assam (India)

摘要

A study was carried out in the three districts of Barak valley (Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi) Assam, India to ascertain the variety of pesticides that are used in the agriculture sector and their probable impact on the health of farmers. The study revealed that the farmers often use pesticides ranging from high to extremely hazardous categories like Organochlorides, Organophosphates and Carbamates. Various signs and symptoms of diseases/ physiological disorders were observed; and the relative risk (RR) was also observed to be high. Lack of adoption of adequate protective measures were noticed to have increased the declining state of the health of farmers in the region.