IMPLICATION OF PESTICIDES EXPOSURE ON HUMAN HEALTH BY FARMERS IN OGBIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA (original) (raw)

JOURNAL FOR APPLIED RESEARCH (JFAR), VOL. 7, NO. 1, 2015

IMPLICATION OF PESTICIDES EXPOSURE ON HUMAN HEALTH BY FARMERS IN OGBIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

*O. ELIZABETH, * T. A. HALLIDAY AND ** MORGAN C. N * Department of Community Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt.
** Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Corresponding author’s Email: nimiyemorgan@yahoo.com, elizabeth.ogisi@yahoo.co.uk
Mobile No.: ** +234-8161194200, * +234-8034358939

Abstract

This study investigates the long term implication of pesticides exposure on human health by farmers in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was administered to 110 farmers in the study area. Data were analyzed with percentage, frequency table, and pie and bar charts. The finding shows poor knowledge of the classes of pesticides used due to the low level of education of the farmers and poor agricultural extension services. It also showed farmers that administered pesticides do not use safety wares may be because they cannot afford equipment that is good for working condition. Thereby use nonconventional safety wares and being exposed to poisonous doses of pesticides that cause various health challenges resulting to poor or frequent ill health due to their frequent use of pesticides. Furthermore, farmers and farm workers suffer from discomforts ranging from headaches, tiredness, vomiting and nausea to skin problems such as skin burn and itching after using these pesticides. It is therefore suggested that farmers should be subjected to training by the Agricultural Extension Officers how to adopt Integrated Pest Management and the benefit of taken preventive measures on the farm so that they can remain healthy. And also, pesticide regulatory policies and program to farmers’ awareness of the harmful effects of pesticides should be made by the government to safeguard farmers in the use of pesticides as regards human health and the environment.

Keywords: perception, pesticide, exposure, health, farmers

INTRODUCTION

Exposure to pesticides at any point in the life cycle has the potential for causing a range of short-term or long-term health problems. Documented health effects include a wide variety of illnesses and diseases, from eye irritation, skin rashes and respiratory problems to neurological damage, birth defects, cancer and death. The risk for and severity of adverse health effects from pesticide exposure varies significantly depending on many factors, including individual characteristics such as age and health status, the specific pesticide, and exposure circumstances. There are several definitions of pesticide; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO, 1986) defines pesticide as any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying or controlling any pest, including vectors of human or animal disease, unwanted species of plants or animals causing harm during or otherwise interfering with the production, processing, storage or marketing of food, agricultural commodities, wood and wood products or animal food stuffs or which may be administered to animals for the control of insects, arachnids or other pests in or on their bodies (FAO, 1986).

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Human poisonings and their related illnesses are clearly the highest price paid for pesticide use. About 67,000 pesticide poisonings resulting in an estimated twenty-seven accidental fatalities are reported each year in the US (Litovitz, Schmitz & Bailey, 1990). In Nigeria, for instance, "official sources in Benin recorded that at least 37 people died over the 1991-2000 cropping season due to pesticide poisoning and Bayelsa State is not left out as well in pesticide exposures associated with long term health problems such as respiratory problems, memory disorders, miscarriages, birth defects, dermatologic conditions, cancer, depression, neurological deficits, brain tumors, brain cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, child leukemia, learning disabilities, canine malignant, lymphoma and various acute effects. Due to gaps in the demographic data, however, this figure may represent only 73%73 \% of the total number of poisonings (Pimentel & Greiner, 1996). Although it is impossible to place a precise monetary value on human life, the cost of human pesticide poisonings has been estimated. Insurance industry studies have computed monetary ranges between 1.61.6\1.6 1.6 and 8.58.5\8.5 8.5 million for the value of a “statistical life”. Based on this figure and the available data, human pesticide poisonings and related illnesses in the US are estimated to total about 933933\933 933 million each year (Pimentel, 1996).

The situation is even worse in the rural areas of Ogbia Local Government Area, especially among the illiterates. A higher proportion of pesticide poisonings and deaths occur in developing countries where there are inadequate occupational safety standards, protective clothing, and washing facilities; insufficient enforcement; poor labeling of pesticides; illiteracy; and insufficient knowledge of pesticide hazards (Pimentel & Greiner, 1996).

Additionally, average pesticide residue levels in food are often higher in developing countries than in developed nations. The contamination rate is undoubtedly higher for fruits and vegetables because these foods receive the highest dosage of pesticides. Throughout the world, the highest levels of pesticide exposure are found in farm workers, pesticide applicators, and people who live adjacent to heavily treated agricultural land. Because farmers and farm workers directly handle 70−80%70-80 \% of the pesticides they use, they are at the greatest risk of exposure (McDuffie, 1994).

Consequently, both the acute and chronic health effects of pesticides warrant attention and concern. While the acute toxicity of most pesticides is well documented (Ecobichon et al., 1990), information on chronic human illnesses such as cancer, interference with the development of the fetus and child, disruption of the reproductive, endocrine, immune and central nervous system is not as sound. For example, based on animal studies, the International Agency for Research on Cancer found “sufficient” evidence of carcinogenicity in eighteen pesticides and “limited” evidence in an additional sixteen pesticides (WHO/UNEP, 1989). Similarly, studies have reported an increased prevalence of certain cancers in farmers (Cantor et al., 1992). In addition, Schottenfeld of the University of Michigan (Pimentel & Greiner 1996) estimates that fewer than 1%1 \% of the human cancer cases in the US are attributable to pesticide exposure. Since there are approximately 1.2 million cancer cases annually (USBC, 1995), Schottenfeld’s assessment suggests that less than 12,000 cases of cancer per year are due to pesticides.

On this note therefore, there is need to assess the long term implication of pesticides exposure on human health by present farmers in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Therefore to solve this problem, the concept of integrated pest management, non-toxic and cultural methods of agriculture, not in pulling the pesticide trigger. Organically grown foods and sustainable methods of pest control are keys to our families’ health and the health of the environment.

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MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study Area: The study was conducted in Ogbia Local Government of Bayelsa State, Nigeria which is located between Latitude 04∘15′04^{\circ} 15^{\prime} North, 05∘23′05^{\circ} 23^{\prime} South and longitude 05∘22′05^{\circ} 22^{\prime} West and 06∘45′06^{\circ} 45^{\prime} East, in the Niger Delta. It shares common boundaries with Imirigi on the North, Elebele on the West, Oruma on the South and Ibelebiri on the East respectively. The population of the State is 1,703,3581,703,358, while the precisely Ogbia Local Government Area is approximately 179,926 (NPC, 2006). The area lies within the rain forest zone, with a humidity equatorial climate and mean annual rainfall ranging from 2000 mm -4000 mm and alternating rainy (March-November), and dry (December-February) seasons, featuring a short dry period between July and September (August break). It has a maximum temperature averaging of 30∘C30^{\circ} \mathrm{C} with a relative humidity ranging between 55 and 90 percent, depending on the location. The people are involves in fishing, farming and trading. Other traditional livelihoods are hunting, lumbering, wood carving, palm-wine tapping and distillation, palm oil mixing, canoe carving, weaving and salt production (Alagoa 1999).
Sampling Method: This study used cross-sectional survey. Data was collected from 120 respondents, made up of male and female farmers; which are farmers that use pesticides in their agricultural activities in the study area. Simple random technique was employed to select the 120 respondents. This was done by the use of structured questionnaire.
Method of Data Analysis: Analysis of data was done using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1 shows that 4.5%4.5 \% of the respondents ranged between 10 - 20 years, 19.1%19.1 \% are between 21−30,29.1%21-30,29.1 \% are between 31−0,37.3%31-0,37.3 \% are between 41−5041-50, while 51 and above were between 10.0%10.0 \%. This formed the modal age group of the respondents. Therefore, 66.4%66.4 \% of the respondents constituted an active work force in the study area. The result is in conformity with the works of (Augustine & Comfort, 2011) who revealed that 86%86 \% of the farmers in Akwa Ibom State were between ages of 20-50 years which constituted an active work force. The result further shows that 40%40 \% of the respondents were male while 60%60 \% respondents were female. Sex distribution of the farm workers indicates that men ( 40%40 \% ) are involved in other farm works relative to pesticide application. More of the female farm workers are involved in pesticide application on the farms in the study area compared to the male.

The survey also indicates that 57.3%57.3 \% of the respondents had O′\mathrm{O}^{\prime} level, 10%10 \% had B.Sc, 3.6%3.6 \% had M.Sc, 1.8%1.8 \% had Ph.D had 0 , while 30.9%30.9 \% had none educational qualification. Of the 76 farmers that were literate, 45.5%45.5 \% claimed they can read or write in English language while the remaining 24.5%24.5 \% cannot read or write. This low level of education reported by farm workers must have contributed immensely to their low level of awareness and their unsafe use of pesticides in their farm operations. This result is in consonance with the records of (Banjo, Aina & Rije, 2010; Tijani, 2006).

Moreover, it reveals that 54.5%54.5 \% of the respondents were farmers, 20%20 \% were traders, 16.4%16.4 \% were civil servants while 9.1%9.1 \% were involve in other occupation. This indicate that majority of the respondents are farmers. A large number of the respondents 72.7%72.7 \% were Christians, 18.2%18.2 \% were traditionalist while 9.1%9.1 \% were neither Christians nor traditionalist.

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Table 1: Socioeconomic Characteristics of Farmers Status

Factors Categories Frequency %\%
Age (yrs) 10−2010-20 5 4.5
21−3021-30 21 19.1
31−4031-40 32 29.1
41−5041-50 41 37.3
51 and above 11 10.0
Total 110 100.0
Sex Male 44 40.0
Female 66 60.0
Total 110 100.0
Educational Level O’ Level 63 57.3
B.Sc 11 10.0
M.Sc 2 1.8
Ph.D 0 0.0
None 34 30.9
Total 110 100.0
Occupation Farming 60 54.5
Trader 22 20.0
Civil Servant 18 16.4
Others 10 9.1
Total 110 100.0
Religion Christian 80 72.7
Traditional 20 18.2
Others 10 9.1
Total 110 100.0

Source: Field survey 2014
The impact of long-term pesticides exposure on human health of the available sources was computed and the results shown in on Table 2. The result shows that 27.3%27.3 \% indicates that they were aware of toxicity effects of pesticides while 72.7%72.7 \% were not aware of toxicity effects of pesticide. This could not be out of place due to low level of education of the farmers. This result is in conformity with the findings of (Gupta, 1994).

Also, 55.5%55.5 \% of the respondents were affected with skin reaction, 20%20 \% were food poison, 12.7%12.7 \% were water pollution while 11.8%11.8 \% were affected with other effects. Therefore, the result indicates high negative impact of pesticides exposure on human health in the study area. Hence, it shows that those who work with agricultural pesticides (farmers) are the most at risk if they are not properly dressed or if there are broken and leaking equipment. Therefore, majority of toxic effects of pesticides were through skin reaction, followed by food poisoning.

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Table 2: Impact of Long-term Pesticides Exposure on Human Health

Factors Categories Frequency %\%
Awareness of toxicity effects of pesticides Yes 30 27.3
No 80 72.7
Total 110 100.0
Toxic effects of pesticides includes Skin reaction 61 55.5
Food poison 22 20.0
Water pollution 14 12.7
Others 13 11.8
Total 110 100.0

Source: Field survey 2014
The farmer’s perception and knowledge of pesticides usage were assessed as shown on Table 3. The result shows that most of the farmers ( 91.8%91.8 \% ) showed a degree of awareness of pesticides while 8.2%8.2 \% were not aware of pesticides. This high knowledge of pesticides observed could be due to the rampant use of pesticides in the study area, probably because farmers assumed that the easiest way to control pest is to spray pesticides. Majority of the respondents ( 63.6%63.6 \% ) indicate no knowledge of the classes of pesticides used, while 36.4%36.4 \% had knowledge of the classes of pesticides. This high ratio of no knowledge of the classes of pesticides could be due to the low level of education reported by the farmers in table 4.3. Also, this high percentage of no knowledge of the classes of pesticides could be that farmers were not receiving agricultural extension services hence lacks appropriate knowledge of pesticides classes.

Also, 18.2%18.2 \% of the respondents use pesticides in the environment every day, 72.7%72.7 \% use pesticides in the environment between 3-5 months interval while 9.1%9.1 \% of the farmers use pesticides in the environment between 6 -months and above. The result shows that majority of the respondents ( 81.8%81.8 \% ) uses pesticides in the environment on a monthly basis.

Table 3: Perception and Knowledge of Farmers about the Use of Pesticides

Factors Categories Frequency %\%
Knowledge of pesticides Yes 101 91.8
No 9 8.2
Total 110 100.0
Knowledge of class of pesticides Yes 40 36.4
No 70 63.6
Total 110 100.0
Number of pesticides usage in the
Environment Every time 20 18.2
3−53-5 months 80 72.7
6 months and above 10 9.1
Total 110 100.0

Source: Field survey 2014
The farmer’s usage of pesticides and prevention method, the result shows that majority of farmers ( 94.5%94.5 \% ) that administered pesticides do not use safety wares while few of the farmers (5.5%)(5.5 \%) use safety wares. This high proportion of farmers ‘No safety wares’ indicates significant

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health problems. This result is unabated because farmers cannot afford equipment that is good for working condition.

Table 4: Farmers Usage of Pesticides and Prevention Method

Factors Categories Frequency %
Use of safety wares Yes 6 5.5
No 104 94.5
The kind of safety ware use Total 110 100.0
Convectional 5 4.5
Non-convectional 105 95.5
Total 110 100.0
Using pesticides 65 59.1
Biological 4 3.6
Cultural/Traditional 30 27.3
Integrated method 11 10.0
Total 110 100.0

Source: Field survey 2014
In respect of kind of safety wares used by farmers, 95.5%95.5 \% of the respondents used nonconventional safety wares while 4.5%4.5 \% used conventional safety wares. This result indicates that majority of the farmers’ uses pesticides without wearing protective appareils (such as gloves, boots etc.). This practice exposes them to poisonous doses of pesticide thereby causing various health challenges in the study area. Also, some respondents claimed they do not put on goggles and boots because they will not be able to see well nor do they wear boots which would be heavy and uncomfortable. A separate study also conducted by (Macauley et al., 2006) estimate that each year, 3 million workers in agriculture in the developing world experience severe poisoning from pesticides, about 18,000 of who die.

Also, methods farmers applied in controlling pest, 59.1%59.1 \% of the respondents used pesticides, 3.6%3.6 \% used biological method, 27.3%27.3 \% used cultural/traditional method while 10%10 \% used integrated method in controlling their pests. The result shows high proportion of pesticides usage in the study area and this could lead to adverse health effects of pesticides exposure in environment. While few farmers’ uses animals in controlling their pests.

Table 5: Level of exposure of farmers to pesticides

Factors Categories Frequency %
Health status of frequent pesticides users Healthy 0 0.0
Poor health 20 18.2
Frequent ill health 70 63.6
Chronic & Disastrous ill health 20 18.2
Total 110 100.0

Source: Field survey 2014
The level of exposure of farmers to pesticides, 81.1%81.1 \% of the respondents experienced either poor or frequent ill health, 18.2%18.2 \% were chronic and disastrous ill health while none were

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healthy in their health status. This result could be due to their frequent use pesticides which in turn could’ve indicated this high proportion of ill health in the study area. Kishii et al. (1995) found out in similar studies in Indonesia and as found out by (Ajayi, 2000) in similar work in Cote d’ Ivore.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The foregoing has shown that pesticides used by farmers and farm workers in the study area in combating the effects of pests and diseases on their farms expose them various health issues, such as skin reaction, food poison, water pollution etc. Analysis shows that farmers are not taking the necessary precautions to prevent hazards associated with their use. Farmers and farm workers suffer from discomforts ranging from headaches, tiredness, vomiting, and nausea to skin problem such as skin burn and itching after using these pesticides. The low level of education of users coupled with lack of formal training in pesticides use and the fact that majority of farmers do not use safety wares and this practice expose the farmers and farm workers to the hazards. A majority of the farmers are unaware of the toxic nature of the pesticide due to lack of information and above all there is a need to train the farmers in different areas of pesticide administration, since most of them cannot do it due to some constraints. Therefore, the indiscriminate and frequent application of pesticide and herbicide on the farm should be discouraged and proper measures should be put in place educating the farmers on Integrated Pest Management as a means of reducing or eradicating health hazards posed by pesticides and herbicides usage.

Hence, we recommend that pesticide regulatory policies and program to farmers’ awareness of the harmful effects of pesticides should be monitored by the government to safeguard farmers in the use of pesticides as regards human health and the environment. Furthermore, Extension services need be greatly improved by both public and private agencies to increase necessary awareness among pesticide users so as to encourage right practice for the safe use and handling of chemicals and pesticides by educating them on the risks involved in the wrong use of these poisonous materials.

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