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pesticide residues in the tissue <strong>of</strong> Pakistani mothers and their infants (Mughal<br />

and Rahman 1973; Skaare et al. 1988).<br />

Because funds are lacking, few laboratories in Pakistan are equipped to<br />

conduct pesticide studies. However, hepatotoxicity <strong>of</strong> dieldrin has been studied<br />

in rats (Shakoon et al. 1982) and the genotoxicity <strong>of</strong> certain pesticides used<br />

in Pakistan has also been assessed (Sandhu et al. 1985). No laboratories are<br />

able to conduct studies on occupational exposure to pesticides.<br />

Recommendations<br />

Although some institutes in Pakistan are conducting research on pesticides,<br />

the need to evaluate pesticide load in the general population and the environment<br />

is urgent. Occupational exposure to pesticides must be determined and<br />

training in toxicologic evaluation must be provided. The registration system<br />

should be improved and the sale and import <strong>of</strong> pesticides should be controlled.<br />

The safe use <strong>of</strong> pesticides can be promoted by more effective training<br />

<strong>of</strong> those who handle and apply them. Doctors and other health personnel<br />

should also be trained in the treatment <strong>of</strong> poisonings. Monitoring systems for<br />

worker exposure should be established.<br />

Acknowledgments - I thank Dr M.H. Akhtar, retired from the Malaria<br />

Control Programme, Lahore, and Tang Sultan Pasha, industrial hygienist from<br />

the Centre for the Improvement <strong>of</strong> Working Conditions and Environment,<br />

Lahore, Pakistan.<br />

Baker, E.L.; Zack, M.; Miles, J.W.; Alderman, L.; Warren, M.C.; Dobbin, R.D.; Miller,<br />

S.; Teeters, W.R. 1978. An epidemic <strong>of</strong> malathion poisoning in Pakistan malaria<br />

workers. Lancet, 1(8 054), 3 1-34.<br />

Baloch, U.K. 1985. Problems associated with the use <strong>of</strong> chemicals by agricultural<br />

workers. In Muhaznmed, A.; von Borstel, R.C., ed., Basic and applied mutagenesis.<br />

Plenum Press, New York, NY, USA. Pp. 63-78.<br />

Elhassani, S.B. 1982. The many faces <strong>of</strong> methylmercury poisoning. Journal <strong>of</strong><br />

Clinical Toxicology, 19(8), 875-906.<br />

Hag, I.U. 1963. Agrosan poisoning in man. British Medical Journal, 1, 1 579I 582.<br />

Miller, S.; Shah, M.A. 1982. Cholinesterase activities <strong>of</strong> workers exposed to organophosphorus<br />

insecticides in Pakistan and Haiti and evaluation <strong>of</strong> the tintometric<br />

method. Journal <strong>of</strong> Environmental Science and Health, B17, 125-142.<br />

Mughal, H.A.; Rahman, R.A. 1973. Organochlorine pesticide content <strong>of</strong> human<br />

adipose tissue in Karachi. Archives <strong>of</strong> Environmental Health, 27, 396-398.<br />

Pakistan, Government <strong>of</strong>. 1987. Economic review in agriculture: economic survey<br />

1985-86. Government <strong>of</strong> Pakistan, Isiamabad, Pakistan.<br />

74

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