Proceedings of the Asia regional workshop on the

B. Testing, quality control and effects in <strong>the</strong> field
Once registered and permitted for formulation and sale, <strong>the</strong> product is subjected to an
important regulatory requirement: monitoring for quality. Pesticide Inspectors are empowered and
responsible for enquiry, examination, drawing <strong>of</strong> samples, detention and seizure <strong>of</strong> suspected stocks,
and launching <strong>of</strong> prosecutions against <strong>of</strong>fenders. Dealers distribute pesticides in small prepackaged
and labeled containers to end users throughout <strong>the</strong> country. Random samples <strong>of</strong> all <strong>the</strong>se products
are collected from <strong>the</strong> dealers shop. Action is taken against <strong>the</strong> dealers if test reports show <strong>the</strong>
product to be defective. If <strong>the</strong> product does not conform to approved specifications, <strong>the</strong> following
actions are taken:
● The imported product is not released for marketing and sale.
● If <strong>the</strong> samples collected from <strong>the</strong> dealer’s shop show <strong>the</strong> product to be defective,
suppliers are advised to withdraw from <strong>the</strong> market.
C. Health and environment information
Systematic studies are lacking to monitor <strong>the</strong> effects <strong>of</strong> pesticides on human health and <strong>the</strong>
environment. So <strong>the</strong>re are serious data gaps observed due to lack <strong>of</strong> capability and capacity in
monitoring data relating to health, environmental contamination and specific incidents. However,
<strong>the</strong>re is little information on environmental contamination, poisoning cases and <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong>
several pesticides in crop and vegetables.
Though, environmental levels <strong>of</strong> pesticides were not reported but a survey conducted in 1995
in Nepal revealed that chemical pesticides such as aldrin were used for fishing baits in rivers, streams
and ponds. These chemicals kill <strong>the</strong> fish, which after surfacing are collected by fisherman.
Fisherman even place pesticides (Endosulfan) into rivers, and streams in order to catch fish in an
easy way. A study on pesticide pollution in Nepal revealed that 52 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> respondents had no
knowledge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> environmental effects <strong>of</strong> chemical pesticides.
Although <strong>the</strong> developed countries consume more pesticides, <strong>the</strong> pesticide poisoning cases are
observed more in developing countries. Excessive use <strong>of</strong> pesticides, lack <strong>of</strong> education and <strong>the</strong>
discomfort <strong>of</strong> using protective clothing increase poisoning risks in agricultural workers, but <strong>the</strong>
country has no regular system <strong>of</strong> data collection on poisoning cases, and <strong>the</strong>re is no regular program
for monitoring <strong>the</strong> health <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> workers involved in handling <strong>the</strong> pesticides. In Nepal, <strong>the</strong> pesticide
residue limits are set by <strong>the</strong> food standardization committee (FSC).
In a recent study carried out by Plant Protection Directorate eighteen samples <strong>of</strong> vegetables
collected in 2004 and <strong>the</strong>se samples (7 samples <strong>of</strong> potato, 6 samples <strong>of</strong> brinjal, and 5 samples <strong>of</strong>
tomato) were analyzed at <strong>the</strong> private accredited laboratory. The residue level in potato was recorded
from 0.45 to 4.8 ppm (Mancozeb), N.D (Endosulfan), 0.017 ppm (Methyl Parathion). Likewise, <strong>the</strong>
residue level in tomato was found from 1.48 to 8.6 ppm (Mancozeb), N.D to 0.042 ppm
(Cypermethrin) and N.D (Dimethoate). Samples <strong>of</strong> brinjal were not found to be contaminated with
pesticide residue (Deltamethrin, Fenvalerate, Cypermethrin, Chlorpyrifos and Methyl Parathion).
The Department <strong>of</strong> Food Technology and Quality Control also collected 106 samples <strong>of</strong>
different food commodities in 2001/2002 and <strong>the</strong> samples were analyzed for <strong>the</strong> estimation <strong>of</strong>
Organochlorine (DDT and BHC) and Organo-phosphorous (Parathion, Methyl-parathion and
Malathion) pesticides. The results revealed that samples <strong>of</strong> different food commodities were not
found to be contaminated with pesticide residue. There is a system to monitor pesticide residues and
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