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mercury poisoning. Food, milk, and drinking water used by these families did
not contain mercury; however, an analysis of chicken feed, skim milk, and
other animal feeds revealed residues of pesticides.
In other developing countries, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT),
lindane, aldrin, and endrin, among others, have been banned or are very
highly restricted. In Kenya, they are still in circulation in one form or another.
Lately, there has been much talk about banning DDT in Kenya, but the
situation has not really changed. Farmers are still growing pyrethrum as an
important cash crop and DDT is still in demand.
Records from the Kenyatta National H!ospital reveal that at least two cases of
pesticide poisoning are seen daily, i.e., 730 cases annually at this hospital alone.
In 1981,221 cases of organophosphate poisoning were treated at the Kenyatta
National Hospital; 13 of the patients died. Of Kenya's estimated 5 million
agricultural workers, 7% or 350 000 per year are poisoned by pesticides. The
resulting economic impact is estimated at 336 million KSH annually
(Choudhry and Levy 1988).
Much effort is needed at the community level to sensitize people to the dangers
of improper handling of agrochernicals. To this end, a community-level study
of awareness, attitudes, and behaviour with regard to handling pesticides was
undertaken in Githunguri, Kiambu District. This study was unique in Kenya;
previous studies have tended to concentrate on the clinical aspects of chemical
poisoning. None appears to have assessed the socioeconomic behaviour of a
community regarding pesticide handling.
The overall objective of the study was to assess people's perception of hazards
posed by improper handling of agrochemicals, specifically pesticides at the
community level. The specific objectives were:
To identify the types of pesticides found in the community;
To observe where and how these chemicals are handled and stored;
To note the disposal methods used for empty containers and leftover
chemicals;
To determine whether the farmers understand and follow the instructions
on container labels;
To establish the use of protective clothing during handling as well as
application;
To measure awareness and assess practices;
To develop baseline data about the types of pesticides used and determine
the extent of use in the selected rural agricultural community of
Kenya; and
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