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Pesticides were stored everywhere covered only by a plastic sheet: in homes,
in animal or food sheds, and among plants. Children of all ages were present
on the farms at all times.
Most of the participants (54%) were between the ages of 20 and 29 years,
indicating that a young population is involved in farming (Table 2). In this age
group, we found a number of people with vocational diplomas or college-level
education. Most family members (68%) who participated in spraying and
other farming activities were below the age of 20; 55% were age 16 years or
younger.
Knowledge about the choice and use of pesticides was gained mostly from
personal experience and, to some extent, from pesticide sales outlets. Government
extension agents played a minor role; 60 serve the whole West Bank and
they do not have enough vehicles or petrol to move around.
Although 8% of the farmers indicated that they had had some training in the
use of pesticides, no participating farmer could substantiate that claim by
giving a source for the training.
Some farmers believed that, after using pesticides for a longtime, they became
immune to them. Although this belief was false, our results indicated a
possible adaptive mechanism involved in raising AChE levels during the
spraying season.
Although 88% of the participants said that they washed or changed their
clothes after spraying, our observations indicated the opposite; we saw many
farmers wearing the same clothes on a number of consecutive days. In addition,
75% indicated that they did not shower or bathe after spraying.
Eating and smoking while spraying were widespread among the farmers and
the responses to this question were more or less accurate.
We did not observe anyone burying empty containers in the field although
33% of those surveyed said that this was their practice. Empty containers were
scattered everywhere including around homes.
Conclusion
This study revealed a number of areas that must be addressed in the design
of a program for training farmers in the safe handling of pesticides:
Farmers lack knowledge about the proper choice of pesticides for pest
management;
Farmers are unaware of the correct amount to be sprayed for a given
concentration of pesticide;
Spray equipment is never checked for proper dose delivery;
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