Impact of Agrochemicals on Human Health and Environment

127 Pages·2016·15.29 MB·English

IImmppaacctt ooff AAggrroocchheemmiiccaallss oonn HHuummaann
HHeeaalltthh aanndd EEnnvviirroonnmmeenntt
BY
NITU SINDHU
2012A22D
Thesis submitted to Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana
Agricultural University in the partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the degree of
DDOOCCTTOORR OOFF PPHHIILLOOSSOOPPHHYY
IINN
EEXXTTEENNSSIIOONN EEDDUUCCAATTIIOONN
CCOOLLLLEEGGEE OOFF AAGGRRIICCUULLTTUURREE
CCHHAAUUDDHHAARRYY CCHHAARRAANN SSIINNGGHH
HHAARRYYAANNAA AAGGRRIICCUULLTTUURRAALL UUNNIIVVEERRSSIITTYY
HHIISSAARR –– 112255 000044 ((HHAARRYYAANNAA))
2016
CERTIFICATE - I
This is to certify that this dissertation entitled, “Impact of Agrochemicals on
Human Health and Environment” submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the
subject of Extension Education to Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University,
Hisar, is a bonafide research work carried out by Nitu Sindhu, Admn. No. 2012A22D under
my guidance and supervision and that no part of this dissertation has been submitted for any
other degree.
The assistance and help received during the course of investigations have been fully
acknowledged.
(Joginder Singh Malik)
Major Advisor
CERTIFICATE-II
This is to certify that this dissertation entitled, “Impact of Agrochemicals on
Human Health and Environment” submitted by Nitu Sindhu, Admn. No.
2012A22D to Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the subject of
Extension Education has been approved by the Students Advisory Committee after an oral
examination on the same, in collaboration with an external examiner.
MAJOR ADVISOR EXTERNAL EXAMINER
HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT
DEAN, POST-GRADUATE STUDIES
Acknowledgements
After finishing my research on the impact of agrochemicals, it makes me feel that our government has been
like a parent who has given a fully loaded gun as a gift to his own child, who is unaware of the
consequences of using it. ButI am glad to live in a world where there still exit honey bees, butterflies, birds
and plenty of different types plant and animal species that the future generations might not be able to see.
So Before all, I express my heartiest devotion to the God of all Gods Mahadev, who has given me all the
strength and positivity in the world to stand for right and fight for good.
I am indebted to my parents for living, but to my teachers for living well. So I first thank the two most
important people who have contributed to the realization of this thesis, Dr. Joginder Singh Malik (Major
advisor) and Dr. P. S. Shehrawat (co- advicer), who have been constantly guiding and encouraging me to
perform my work with passion and compassion. I shall never be able to pay you back for the support both
of youhave been to me all these yearsbut I will always try to shine high so that you always be proud of me.
With an overwhelming and genuine sense of obligations, I avail this opportunity to express my deepest
indebtedness to Dr. B. S. Ganghas, Dr. R. S. Hudda, Dr. S. K. Mehta, Dr. A. K. Godara and all other
faculty members of my Department for their consistent help and valuable suggestions. Too tiny is the
gratitude and too great is the gift of knowledge, competent advice and constant encouragement bestowed
on me by the members of my advisory committee, Dr. (Mrs.) Shushila Dhaiya (member from Minor subject)
and Dr. V. P. Mehta (Dean PGS Nominee). My greatest thanks go to Dr. Ram Niwas (member from
Supporting subject) for providing me the technical knowledge for carrying out my data analysis.
It is said that parents are like a bow, and children like arrows. The more the bow bends and stretches, the
farther the arrow flies. I fly, not because I am special, but because they stretched for me. Thank you my
dear father Shri. Ram Mehar Sindhu and my lovely mother Smt. Suman Sindhu for awarding me with the
intelligence, energy and thirst for knowledge. I am grateful that you made me both strong and sensitive.
Thank you for giving me this life, a life which is as precious as you are to me.
Words at my command fail at this point in time to express my heartfelt reverence and utmost affection
towards my very respectful uncles Shri. O. P. Sharma, Shri. Ramesh Khokhar and Shri. Raghupati Shenoy;
and aunts Smt. Radhika Sharma, Smt. Kamla Khokhar and Smt. Jayashree Shenoy who have loved and
protected me all the time. With unbound affection I spread special fragrance of thanks to my adorable
sisters Sujata, Reena, Shivani, Ushma and Shalini without whom my life would have been black and
white. I must not forget my brother Navin Sindhu who occupies the largest share in my heart, thank you
for holding my hand in all the ups and downs of my life.
What more can you ask God for, if you have already been gifted with good friends? Yogesh, Mohan,
Nirmal, Donal, Shamly and Shrabanee. Over a period of time you people have brought blossoms and filled
my life with fragrance of love.
At last I want to thank another mostimportant man in my life, Sainath R. Shenoy. I don’t have any clue
why Ihad allowed only youinto the layers of my heart. Maybe it’s because my familylovesyoumore than I
do. Meeting you was some kind of fate and I know you were worth waiting. You made me realize that
relationship is all about trust and the awareness that you can depend on your partner. Thank you for
depending on me and letting me do the same.
Last but not the least I also wish to endorse my sincere thanks to all those who directly or indirectly helped
me during my thesis work.
Place: Hisar
Date: Nitu Sindhu
CONTENTS
CHAPTERS DESCRIPTION Page(s)
1. INTRODUCTION 1-4
2. REVIEWOF LITERATURE 5-13
3. MATERIALAND METHODS 14-21
4. RESULTS 22-53
5. DISCUSSION 54-65
6. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 66-70
BIBLIOGRAPHY i-vi
ANNEXURE I-XXV
LIST OF TABLES
Table Particulars Page
No. No.
4.1 Personal profileof the respondents 23
4.2 Proneness to change in farmers 24
4.3 Scientism and fatalism among the farmers 24
4.4 Extension contact of farmers 25
4.5 Mass media exposure of farmers 25
4.6 Cropping pattern followed bythefarmers 26
4.7 Agrochemicals used by the farmers 26
4.8 Dose of agrochemicals applied by farmers 27
4.9 Method ofpesticide application 27
4.10 Time of pesticide application 28
4.11 Frequency of pesticideapplication 28
4.12 Period of harvesting after pesticide application 29
4.13 Protective clothing worn while using agrochemicals 29
4.14 Fertilizers used by the farmers 30
4.15 Pesticides used by the farmers 30
4.16 Herbicides used by the farmers 31
4.17 Fungicides used by the farmers 31
4.18 Awareness about different types of agrochemicals 32
4.19 Awareness about various symbols on the pesticide containers 33
4.20 Comparison of awareness and implementation regarding safe handling of 34
agrochemicals
4.21 Suggestions of the extension functionaries regarding the safe handling of 36
agrochemicals
4.22 Awareness about storage of agrochemicals 37
4.23 Correlation between farmers’ awareness andits implementation 38
4.24 Correlation between expert’s advice andits implementation 38
4.25 Awareness about residual effect of chemicals 39
4.26 Awarenessabout antidotes 40
4.27 Awareness regarding the acute diseases caused by intoxication of 40
agrochemicals
4.28 Awarenessabout diseases caused due to chronic exposure to agrochemicals 41
4.29 Perception of the farmers about the harmful effects of agrochemicals on 42
human beings
4.30 Perception of the farmers about the harmful effects of agrochemicals on birds 43
and animals
4.31 Perception of the farmers regarding the environmental risks of agrochemicals 44
4.32 Skin and eye problemscaused from acute exposure to agrochemicals 45
4.33 Respiratory problemscaused from acute exposure to agrochemicals 46
4.34 Digestive problemscaused from acute exposure to agrochemicals 46
4.35 Other health problemscaused from acute exposure to agrochemicals 47
4.36 Chronic diseasescaused from exposure to agrochemicals 48
4.37 Impact of Agrochemicals on Environment 49
4.38 Alternatives to presently used chemical fertilizers 50
4.39 Alternatives to presently usedchemicalpesticides 51
4.40 Alternate agricultural practices to conventional farmingsystemfor healthy 52
agriculture
LIST OF FIGURES
Fig. Page
Particulars
No. No.
1.1 State-wise agrochemical consumption 1
1.2 India Crop Protection Market Splits 2
3.1 Map ofHaryana showing the locale of study 15
3.2 Criteria for selection of the respondents 15
5.1 Precautions taken while buying and handling agrochemicals After 56
5.2 Safe storage practices and measures taken after pesticide application After 56
5.3 Symbols on pesticide containers and their meanings After 58
5.4 Impact of agrochemicals on human health After 64
5.5 Impact of agrochemicals on environment After 64
5.6 Essence of the study After 68
LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS
After
S. No. Particulars Page
No.
1 Protective clothing required while spraying 28
2 Unhealthy practices adopted by farmers 36
3 Skin and eye diseases encountered during study 46
4 Learning, mental and physical disability encountered during study 48
ABBREVIATIONS
FICCI – Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerceand Industry
FVC – Forced Expiratory Vital Capacity
FEV1 – Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second
OP - Organophosphate
NGO - Non Government Organization
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic Acid
FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization
WHO - World HealthOrganization
AAP - Acute Pesticide Poisoning
AM - Alternate Management
CM - Conventional Management
CTF - Controlled Traffic Farming
RTF - Random Traffic Farming
AIIMS - All India Institute of Medical Sciences
NPIC - National Poison Information Center
IPM - Integrated Pest Management
F - Frequency
% - Percentage
WMS - Weighted mean score
DETAILS OF SAMPLE SIZE
Karnal Sample Size - 60
Sirsa Sample Size - 60
Extension Functionaries Sample Size - 80
Total Sample size - 200
CCHHAAPPTTEERR--II
IINNTTRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN
Our great Indian civilization flourished on organic practices and became one of the
most prosperous countries of the world. Traditionally agriculture in India was being practiced
using organic techniques. All the fertilizers and pesticides were obtained from plant and
animal products. But the rising population and other natural calamities led to severe food
scarcity and the government was forced to import food from other countries. As importing
food was not the only solution, government started its most important programme of Indian
history i.e. ‘Green Revolution’ under the leadership of M. S. Swaminathan in 1960s. Under
this programme, large amount of land
AP Maharashtra Punjab
MP & Chattisgarh Karnataka Gujrat
was brought under cultivation, hybrid
TN Haryana WB
Others
seeds were introduced, and chemical
fertilizers and pesticides were locally 15 %
24 %
manufactured and used in large
5 %
quantities. Agrochemicals played a
5 %
significant role in producing more food
5 %
for today’s hungry world. These
13 %
chemicals were widely used all over the 7 %
world to raise agricultural production,
7 %
11 %
to control pests, diseases, weeds and 8 %
other plant pathogens and to eliminate
Fig. 1.1 State wise agrochemical consumption
Source: Industry reports, Analysis by TATA strategics,2013
yield losses.
India is currently the second largest manufacturer of pesticides in Asia, and the per
capita consumption of pesticides in India is 0.6 kg/ha. Although, Indian average consumption
of pesticides is far lower than many other developed economies, yet the problem of pesticide
residue is very high in India (Abhilash and Singh, 2009). In agrochemical consumption
Andhra Pradesh (Seemandhra and Telangana) ranks first followed by Maharashtra, Punjab,
Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, West Bengal
andothers. Haryana consumes only 5per centof the total shareas presented in Fig. 1.1.
The main reason for low per capita consumption of pesticides in India is low
purchasing power of farmers and small land holdings. According to a report released by
FICCI in association with Tata Strategic Management Group, in November 2015, the Indian
crop protection market split shows that insecticides form the largest share accounting for 65
per cent of the total market. It is mostly because of severe infestation of white fly in cotton
and land hopper in paddy. Fungicides and herbicides accounting for 15 and 16 per cent,
1
respectively, of total crop protection
Insecticides Fungicides Herbicides Biopesticides Others
chemicals’ market split, respectively
3 %
(Fig. 1.2). Rice and wheat crops are 3 %
the major application areas for
herbicides.
16 %
Bio-pesticides include all
biological material organisms, which
can be used to control pests.
18 % 60 %
Currently bio-pesticides constitute
only 3 per cent of Indian crop
protection market; however, there are
significant growth opportunities for
Fig.1.2India crop protection market Splits
this product segment due to increasing concerns of safety and toxicity of pesticides,
Source: Industry reports, Analysis by TATA strategics,2015
stringent regulations and government support (Tata Strategic, 2015). Besides the choice of
using chemical pesticides and bio-pesticides, the farmers always face a chief problem of
accidently/unknowingly buying non-genuine/illegal pesticides. The market of non-
genuine/illegal pesticides in India is rising day by day and it has become an alarming issue
today.
As years passed the chemical fertilizers and pesticides showed their late impacts on
agriculture and these impacts were drastic. The land started losing its fertility and demanded
even greater quantities of fertilizers. Insects and pests became immune and more toxic and
expensive pesticides were now required. These extremely toxic agrochemicals got spread in
the air, got absorbed by the soil or dissolved in the water and eventually reached everywhere
in our environment. Pesticides also seeped into ground water which we consume and
poisoned us. Besides, residual effect of pesticides also leads to very serious illnesses such as
cancer and even death in both human beings and animals.
Agrochemicals contact human body in four main ways: Oral exposure (when you
swallow a pesticide), inhalation exposure (when you breathe in a pesticide), ocular (through
the eyes) or dermal (through the skin) and exposure of the general population to
agrochemicals occurs primarily through eating food and drinking water contaminated with
agrochemical residues. It is apparent that agrochemicals will always remain fundamental tool
to assure an abundant food supply but we can also not deny the fact that a significant portion
of applied agrochemicals may be lost to the surrounding environment, where they can
adversely affect human and environmental health. Researches’ have shown that agrochemical
residues are continuously persisting and accumulating in human, animal body and
environment causing harmful diseases. Some agrochemicals are highly toxic to human, only a
few drops in the mouth or on the skin can cause extremely harmful effects. Other pesticides
2