and Integrated Pest Management - part - usaid

PE.STICIDE POISONING IN SOUhIIIEAST ASIA 329
Data on acute pesticide poisoning, therefore, helps to establish important
considerations for its control. Firstly, the data on acute pesticide poisoning
indicates the priority it should be afforded as a health concern in the respective
countries. Secondly, the data identifies the sectors of the population at risk and
the factors contributing to fhe poisoning.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
The responsibility for the control of the problem of acute pesticide
poisoning revolves around (i) the user, (ii) the national government, and (iii) the
agrochemical industry. The participatory role of each of these sectors to make it
a joint effort must be recognized by each of the sectors. Too often,
confrontational situations have emerged with each sector trying to blame the
other, an approach which is without doubt cow ter-productive. Nevertheless,
although ajoint effort by different sectors is necessary, Jeyaratnam (1985) stated
that the "ultimate responsibility for the control of pesticides must be devoted to
national governments but umfortunately controls either do not exist or where
present, are poorly implemented". Operationally, a primary health care system
should be closely allied to the agricultural sector to ensure the prevention,
recognition, and treatment of acute pesticide poisoning.
LITEIRATURE CITED
International Labor Organization (iLO). 1980. Medium-Term Plan 1982-1987,
Geneva.
World Health Organization (WHO). 1986. Informal consultation on planning
strategy for the prevention of pesticide poisoning. WHO/VBC/86.926 Geneva.
World lealth Organization. 1973. Safe use of pesticides. Geneva, (Technical
Report Series No. 513).
Jeyaratnam, J. 1985. Health problems of pesticide usage. '3ritish Journal of
Industrial Medicine 42:505-506.
Jeyaratnam, J., De Alwis Seneviratne, R.S., Copplestone, J.F. 1982. Survey
of pesticide poisoning in Sri Lanka. Bulletin of the World Health
Organization 60(4):615-619.
Jeyaratnam, J., Lun, K.C., Phoon, W.O. 1987. Survey of acute pesticide
poisoning among agricultural workers in four Asian countries. Bulletin of the
World Health Oiganization 65(4):521-527.