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

600 -
500 -
400 -
300 -
200 -
100 a
Total
Pesticides
34
Paraquat
Malathion
1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986
Fig. 2. Cases of poisoning from pesticides, malathion, paraquat, and all substances in
Malaysia, 1978-1986 (Lum Ct al. 1990).
Regional differences in the incidence of poisonings within a country reflect the
extent of toxic substance use in these areas (Sinnaia 1989). Areas that include
large numbers of plantations and farms (where pesticides are likely to be used
in large quantities) tend to record high levels of mortality due to pesticide
poisoning. Also, mortality from pesticide poisoning is closely correlated with
suicidal intent (72.6%), suggesting that some regulatory intervention would
be useful. This is further supported by the fact that farm and plantation
workers constitute 45% of the reported pesticide deaths.
More recent studies of Malaysian rice-farming communities indicate that a
large percentage of farmers develop symptoms associated with pesticide
poisoning. In the intensely cultivated area of the Cameron Highlands, where
pesticides are widely used, 95% of all poisoning cases are attributed to pesticides.
In 1980, there were 17 cases of pesticide poisoning resulting in 4 deaths;
in 1981, the number of cases increased to 20 with 11 deaths; and between
January1982 and April 1983, there were 11 cases and 4 deaths (Asna et al. 1989).
Malaysia recently established a National Poison Centre in the Department of
Pharmacology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The main functions of this
Centre are to identify the risk of poisoning in the local population, to establish
preventive measures, and to ensure proper diagnoses and provide treatment
for poison victims (Tariq 1989).
Department of Health hospitals in the Philippines reported 4031 cases of acute
pesticide poisoning and 603 deaths between 1980 and 1987 (Fig. 3). Most of
these were suicidal (64%); accidental and occupational poisonings accounted
for 18% and 14%, respectively. Death rates from acute pesticide poisoning
ranged from 13% to 21%. The distribution by gender for all acute pesticide
a