Health, Safety and Environment - International Labour Organization

Manual 5:PESTICIDES AND HEALTH,SAFETY & THE ENVIRONMENTThe main routes of indirect entry are:Transfer from the mother to the unborn childEntry into the body is possible through transfer of pesticide(s) across theplacenta of a pregnant woman to the unborn baby.Pesticides entering the body from pesticide residues in food and waterConsumption of unwanted pesticide residues in food and water is anotherroute of entry. Pesticides residues, both natural and synthetic, can befound in all the things we eat – fruit, vegetables, rice, bread, meat, poultry,fish and the processed foods made from them. Drinking and/orbathing/washing water may be unhealthy due to pollution of ground and/orsurface waters. Irrigation water can also be contaminated resulting inexcess pesticide residues in growing crops. Commercial farmed fish andshrimp may also contain excessive residue levels from pesticide-pollutedwater.Some contamination from residues is often legally allowed in food andeven water, but this does not mean that it is “safe”. However, much of it isillegal, with residues in excess of legal, maximum residuelimits/concentrations. Where banned chemicals are used, food importedinto a country may contain pesticides banned or restricted in that country.Concentrations of pesticide residues are often low but there is littleevidence or research on their long term health effects, especially onvulnerable groups such as young children and babies.The healtheffects ofpesticidesAcute effectsAcute or ‘immediate’ effects generally develop during or shortly afterexposure, usually within minutes to hours after exposure to a single dose ofa pesticide (in some cases though the effects may only become apparentafter some days). Poisoned victims usually have visible symptoms and,even if not, the cause can usually be identified, though symptoms will varyaccording to the pesticide being used. Specific effects include:Irritation Respiratory – pesticides can irritate the nose and upper lung passagescausing sneezing and coughing, and in some cases, bronchitis. Theymay also irritate the surface of the respiratory system and may damagelung tissue Skin and eyes – dermatitis (a rash) is a common reaction from skincontact. The skin becomes dry, rough and sore due to removal ofprotective oils. The eye is extremely vulnerable and pesticide damagemay vary from mild, temporary discomfort to permanent (chronic)damage.223 Health, Safety and EnvironmentA Series of Trade Union EducationManuals for Agricultural Workers