March 16, 2013
Pesticides, by their very nature, are designed to kill living organisms. They include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and biocides. A number of studies have clearly demonstrated a direct link between chemical pesticides and the development of cancer. Two kinds of chemical pesticides have been found to be directly related to the incidence of cancer all over the world. Some of the commonly used pesticides like organochorines, creosote and sulfallate are described as ‘carcinogenic’ (cancer-causing) while dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), lindane and chlordane have been identified as ‘tumor promoters’. They are also known to disrupt hormonal balance in the body and disturb the immune system.
The predominant sources of exposure to these pesticides are air, water and food. Inhalation, oral ingestion, dermal absorption are the common routes which then carry the chemicals throughout the body. International Agency for Research on Cancer has even classified some arsenic compounds and occupational insecticides as cancer-causing. Soft tissue sarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma, melanoma, breast, prostate, skin, stomach, lung and esophageal cancers are ascribed to long-term direct as well as indirect exposure to these killer chemicals.
Who are at a higher risk?
Higher exposure to pesticides among farmers, applicators, manufacturers, and crop dusters has been identified as one of the main causes of lung, stomach, esophagus and blood cancers in this population. This does not mean that the general public is spared from pesticide exposure. Low doses of pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables from the open market or from supermarkets; use of contaminated ground water can also be damaging over the years. Insecticides and fungicides used in household fumigation are not safe either.
It is a fact that these killer chemicals are in our blood stream, in our kidneys and even in the air that we exhale. Many scientific studies have demonstrated this. For example, the traces of pesticides found in breast-milk and the amniotic fluid have proved that a child’s risk of developing cancer increases if the mother-to-be is exposed to them. Girls who were exposed to DDT before they reach puberty are five times more likely to develop breast cancer in middle age.
Endosulfan sulphate is a “kill on contact” pesticide sprayed on crops like coffee, tea, cashew, tobacco, fruits and vegetables. Breathing the air where it is sprayed, eating fruits and vegetables laced with it or drinking water contaminated by endosulfan is reportedly hazardous to humans and animals. Apart from congenital birth defects, neurological anomalies, and miscarriages, endosulfan is responsible for a number of respiratory and digestive tract cancers. The application of this pesticide has been reportedly discontinued in the last few years but thousands of people are still suffering the long-term effects of this killer pesticide in south India especially in Karnataka and Kerala.
In the developed countries like the U.S.A, U.K. and the European Union, systematic measures have been put in place to protect the environment from these toxic chemicals and in turn safeguard the interests of the public. In the developing countries however, despite the growing body of evidence about the health risks associated with pesticides there is an increase in the manufacture and use of these killer chemicals.
Prevention is better than cure!
Yes, the best solution is to popularize and promote non-chemical alternatives to chemical pest control.
Protective gear like gloves, masks, body suits may prevent direct exposure in high risk occupations like farming and manufacture. It is important to follow application and storage directions.
For the consumers, it is possible to remove the final layer of pesticide application by soaking the fruits and vegetables in salt water for 15 minutes and then washing the same with running water before using them.
Household insecticides like Ant, roach, termite, mosquito repellants are not safe either. Make it a point to read the fine print on the labels and know the chemical composition on each pack before you buy them or use them.
A regulatory system needs to be in place similar to EPA (Environment Protection Agency) in the U.S. to minimize the health hazards of pesticides and insecticides.
Proactive measures like awareness and education will go a long way in saving the lives of both the consumers as well as producers of these pesticides.
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