Impact of - IDL-BNC @ IDRC - International Development Research ...

Table 2. Concluded.
Question Answers
Do you wear protective clothing? Yes 4%
No 96%
Do you believe you are immune against Yes 12%
pesticides? No 21%
Do not know 67%
Do you change or wash your clothes after Yes 88%
spraying? No 12%
Do you shower or bathe after spraying? Yes 25%
No 75%
Do you smoke while spraying? Yes 46%
No 54%
Do you eat while spraying? Yes 63%
No 37%
Have you ever spilt pesticides on your body? Yes 92%
No 8%
How do you dispose of empty containers? Throw in the field 63%
Bury 33%
Sell for recycling or other uses 4%
Do you have any unusual symptoms after Yes 33%
spraying? No 67%
Adequate information about pest and crop management is unavailable
to farmers;
Spraying is done casually without proper planning or safety precautions;
There is no regard for reentry periods or length of time between spraying
and harvest;
There is little awareness of the long-term effects of pesticides on farmers
or their families as evidenced by young children participating in spraying
and the casual way in which pesticides are handled; and
Government agencies, the media, and chemical companies advise farmers
to spray prophylactically.
In conclusion, we believe that a training program for farmers and others in the
safe handling of pesticides coupled with pest management is urgently needed.
Such a program, if run efficiently, will benefit a wide sector of society and
reduce health hazards associated with exposure to pesticides.
139