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Human health consequences of the use of pesticides – LifeFumiGreen

Human health consequences of the use of pesticides

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Pesticides, commonly used in agriculture for pest and disease control, can have a variety of adverse consequences for human health. These consequences can vary depending on the type of pesticide, the duration and the level of exposure. Some of the main consequences for human health are described below:

1. Acute Effects

  • Skin and eye irritation: direct contact with pesticides can cause skin irritation and burns (redness and rashes, chemical burns, contact dermatitis) and eye irritation (redness and tearing, chemical conjunctivitis, pain and blurred vision).
  • Respiratory problems inhalation of pesticide vapours may cause respiratory tract irritation, coughing, asthma, bronchitis and pneumonitis, pulmonary oedema, shortness of breath and, in severe cases, pulmonary oedema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or chemical pneumonitis.
  • Poisoning: acute exposure to high concentrations may cause symptoms of poisoning such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache and in extreme cases, convulsions and coma.

2. Chronic Effects

  • Cancer: Some pesticides have been classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Prolonged exposure may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
  • Neurological disorders: chronic exposure to certain pesticides can cause neurotoxic effects, including damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, manifesting as tremors, muscle weakness and behavioural changes.
  • Reproductive problems: some fumigants are associated with adverse reproductive effects, including infertility, miscarriages and birth defects.
  • Hormonal disruption: Some pesticides can act as endocrine disruptors, affecting hormone balance and leading to developmental problems and other health conditions.

3. Systemic Effects

  • Liver and kidney damage: prolonged exposure to pesticides can cause damage to the liver and kidneys, the organs responsible for detoxification and excretion of chemicals.
  • Immunotoxicity: Exposure to certain pesticides can affect the immune system, decreasing the body’s ability to fight infection and increasing susceptibility to disease.

The application of safe practices can help protect the health of people working with pesticides and that of the community at large. However, the option of using natural pesticides such as those proposed by LIFE NextFUMIGREEN is the best solution to avoid these health problems. LIFE NextFUMIGREEN is a European project that aims to develop natural fumigants from plant extracts to control primary pest populations in horticultural greenhouse crops.

Microdispersion technology (dry smoke) incorporated in the LIFE NextFUMIGREEN project with a ready to use product, avoids the handling of concentrated pesticides, prevents contact with the operator and minimises the risk of pesticides remaining in the soil and groundwater, thus reducing all these adverse effects to a minimum.

The project, led by FumiHogar, in collaboration with Centro Tecnológico Tecnova, B&B Asesores, Comercial Química Massó, BrioAgro Tech and Fundación Finnova, and 60% funded by the European Union’s LIFE programme, will last four and a half years and will test the efficacy of a new fumigant biopesticide that is less toxic than conventional ones. With a total budget of 2,758,921.01 euros, this project aims to improve food security and biodiversity and contribute to the professionalisation of farmers in the use of biopesticides.