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

safer, more effective compounds, specifically suited for integrated pest
management.
Fully aware of the present-day need for pesticides, WHO tries to reduce
pesticide risk to an acceptable level. One activity to support this effort is the
regular updating of Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard and
Guidelines for Classification (WHO 1990b). Although the WHO classification
system takes into account acute oral or dermal toxicity (whichever is higher),
it also notes any irreversible effect that might be recognized. Classification of
a pesticide is subject to regular revision based on scientific evidence.
Recognition of overexposure contributes significantly to the safety of pesticides
used in agriculture and public health. WHO has produced a standard
protocol for the assessment of exposure. Determination of erythrocyte cholinesterase
activity is considered to be the most appropriate tool for field assessment
of exposure to organophosphorous compounds. When used as a part of
worker surveillance, it allows a person to be withdrawn from furtherexposure
when the activity of his or her erythrocytic cholinesterase decreases significantly
from an established preexposure value. In the past few years, WHO has
developed a field method for measuring whole-blood cholinesterase activity.
After several years of use in the field, the method is being improved and the
field kit modernized.
Education and training
To support its efforts to promote education in the safe use of pesticides, several
education and training programs have been developed within WHO. One
program is designed to be used at several distinct education levels and is
adaptable to local needs. It includes courses at the basic level, for supervisors,
for health workers, and for physicians. The courses are divided into
sections, each with specific objectives. Each section contains one or more
subjects and each subject consists of a number of modules. Modules are
supported by a visual aid in the form of a slide with key words or a photograph.
A selection of modules from each section can be made according to the
educational objectives and background of the participants.
The course manual is accompanied by an establishment manual designed to
enable national authorities to create multilevel courses on the safe use of
pesticides in their own country, in the local language, and with their own
resources. Its format allows for easy modification to suit national needs and
different levels of audience.
The FAO, in consultation with other United Nations agencies, has developed
the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides (FAQ
1986), which was subsequently amended with the introduction of the principle
of prior informed consent (PlC). This document benefits the international
community by providing guidelines on the availability, regulatory activity,
marketing, and safe use of pesticides. However, promoting the safe use of
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