Practices and Knowledge on Environmental and Health Hazards of Farm Pesticide Use

Kenneth D. BarrientosResearcher

Mark Gem M. MerinPresenter

IntroductionPesticides are important inputs used in rice production to

eliminate pests in order to increase income of the poor and vulnerable rice farmers. However, pesticides has hazardous effects to human health and negative impacts to the environment.

Previous study shows that the unsystematic use of pesticides resulted to ecological imbalances of farming system, worsening pest problems and creating harmful effects on environment and human health (Oczon, 2012; Rola and Pingali, 1993).

Kedia and Palis (2008) revealed that farmers lack of awareness and limited knowledge on the dangers of using pesticides were due to difficulties to comprehend the complex agrochemical label instructions and health safety information of the use of pesticides.

Rice farming is one of the major sources of income of poor and vulnerable sector of the society, particularly in the municipality of Ibajay, Aklan.

Increased rice production was given much attention by the national government focuses on trainings and seminars on transfer of technology, while little attention were given to the health and safety of farmers on the use of pesticides.

Hence, this study examined the practices and knowledge of rice farmers on environmental and health hazards brought about by pesticide use.

Continued…

Statement of the Problem

The study aimed to determine the practices and knowledge on environmental and health hazards of pesticide use in Ibajay, Aklan. Specifically, the study answers the following questions:

1. What is the socio-demographic and economic profile of the respondents?

2. What are the kinds of pesticide used by the respondents?

3. What are the practices adopted in handling, application and disposal of pesticides?

4. What are the sources of knowledge on pesticide use?

5. What are the symptoms associated with mishandling of pesticides?

6. What is the knowledge of the respondents on the environmental and health hazards of using pesticides?

METHODOLOGY

Research Design Descriptive-survey method.

Locale of the Study Municipality of Ibajay, Aklan. Seven (7) irrigated rice farming barangays.

AgbagoAgbago

LaguinbanwaLaguinbanwa

NaisudNaisud

NaileNaile

MalocoMaloco

BatuanBatuan

AquinoAquino

Location of the Study

Table 1. Number of respondents

Barangays Population(N) Sample size

1. Agbago Farmers 126 13

Brgy. Officials 11 11

2. Aquino Farmers 132 13

Brgy. Officials 11 11

3. Batuan Farmers 120 12

Brgy. Officials 11 11

4. Laguinbanwa Farmers 130 13

Brgy. Officials 11 11

5. Maloco Farmers 136 14

Brgy. Officials 11 11

6. Naile Farmers 174 17

Brgy. Officials 11 11

7. Naisud Farmers 174 17

Brgy. Officials 10 10

Total 992 99 76

Sampling TechniquesSystematic random sampling with a random start

Research InstrumentInterview schedule

Data Gathering Procedure

Secured approval from the Municipal MayorGet permission from the barangay officials Administered the interview schedule

Data Analysis Procedure

Descriptive statistics Frequency count, percent, rank and mean

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Profile Number Percent

Demographics Age*

15-24 years (Young) 38 21.7125-40 years (Young adult) 82 46.8641-64 years (Middle adult) 50 28.5765-above years (Adult) 5 2.86

Total 175 100.00Mean Age = 43 years old

Gender

Male 146 83.43Female 29 16.57

Total 175 100.00Civil Status

Single 24 13.71Married 150 85.71Widow 1 0.57

Total 175 100.00

Table 2. Socio-Demographic and Economic Profile of the Respondents

*Source: Erikson’s Psychological Stages

Table 2. Continued…Highest Educational Attainment

Elementary 23 13.14Secondary 78 44.57Tertiary 74 42.29

Total 175 100.0Number of Children

None 34 19.431-2 37 21.143-4 65 37.145-6 35 20.007-above 4 2.29

Total 175 100.0Number of Years in Farming

1-5 years 19 15.086-10 years 15 11.9011-15 years 13 10.3216-20 years 23 18.2521-25 years 14 11.1126-30 years 18 14.2931-above years 24 19.05

Total 126 100.0

Table 2. Continued…

Socio-EconomicSource of Farm Input

Salary/Honoraria 16 12.70Loans 59 46.83Personal 51 40.48

Total 126 100.00Average Rice Production/cropping

6-20 cavans 39 30.9521-35 cavans 46 36.5136-50 cavans 5 3.9751-65 cavans 8 6.3566-80 cavans 11 8.7381-up cavans 17 13.49

Total 126 100.00Hectares of Farmland

0.5 hectare 35 27.781 hectare 59 46.831.5 hectares 16 12.702 hectares - above 16 12.70

Total 126 100.00

Ownership

Farm owner 47 37.30

Tenant 79 62.70

Total 126 100.00

Type of Farming

Irrigated 72 57.14

Rainfed 54 42.86

Total 126 100.00

Seminar Attended

Have Attended 97 76.98

Not Attended 29 23.02

Total 126 100.00

Table 2. Continued…

Table 3. Kinds of pesticides used by the respondents.

Kinds of Pesticides use* Number Rank

Insecticides 126 1

Molluscicides 118 2

Rodenticides 84 3

Fungicides 69 4

*Multiple responses

Practices on Pesticide Handling, Storage, Application and Disposal

Table 4. Handling and storage of pesticide containers by the respondents.

Handling of Pesticides* Number Rank

• Bagging pesticides away from groceries. 115 1

• Storing pesticides in locked and labeled cabinets. 93 4

• Putting pesticides on its original containers. 101 3

• Storing pesticides separately from other materials. 56 7

• Keeping storage area dry and well ventilated. 81 5

• Keeping pesticides away from children’s reach. 102 2

• Stored pesticides with intact and readable labels. 79 6

*Multiple responses

Pesticide Application practices

Table 5. Methods of pesticide application by the respondents.

Methods of Application* Number Rank

Using Knapsack Sprayer 114 1

Broadcasting 21 2

*Multiple responses

Table 6. Disposal practices of empty containers by the respondents.

Disposal Practices* Number Rank

Garbage bins 7 4

Burying in the soil 104 1

Left in the field 33 3

Burning 36 2

Thrown in the river 1 5

Thrown anywhere 1 5*Multiple

responses

Table 7. Protective gears worn by the respondents.

Protective gears worn Number Percent

Complete protective clothing (Hat with brim, goggles, face mask, long-sleeved shirt, rubber gloves, protective boots, and long pants)

3 2.38

Hat with brim, face mask, long-sleeved shirt, rubber gloves and long pants 32 25.40

Hat with brim, face mask, long-sleeved shirt, rubber gloves, protective boots, long pants 9 7.14

Long-sleeved shirt, rubber gloves, long pants 14 11.11

Face mask, long-sleeved shirt, long pants 57 45.24

Hat with brim, long-sleeved shirt and long pants 8 6.35

No protective gears 3 2.48

Total 126 100.00

Table 8. Sources of pesticide knowledge by the respondents.

*Multiple responses

Sources* Number Rank

Through experience 67 2

From specialist 19 4

Agricultural Technologists 68 1

Product label 52 3

Pesticide dealer 13 5

Table 9. Symptoms associated with mishandling pesticides.Symptoms* Number RankDermal Skin rashes 91 1 Redness of skin 44 2 Excessive sweating 18 3 Blackening of toe nails 3 4Respiratory Coughing 21 1 Shortness of breath 12 2Neurological Headache 65 1 Fatigue 21 2Gastrointestinal Vomiting 10 1 Salivation 4 2Ophthalmic Eye itching 44 1 Vision disturbance 15 2Systemic Abdominal pain 11 1*Multiple

responses

Table 10. Knowledge on environmental and health hazards of pesticide use.

Hazards

Responses

Yes % No %

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

Hazards on Soil

Toxic chemicals harm earthworms and soil microbes. 140 80.00 35 20.00 Excess toxic chemicals accumulates in soil 127 72.57 48 27.43

Pesticides accumulate on soil and harmful to crops. 104 59.43 71 40.57

Pesticides affects the acidity of the soil 108 61.71 67 38.29

Soil became compacted 102 58.29 73 41.71

Pesticide decreases the soil quality 121 69.14 54 30.86

Pesticides prevent higher water retention. 75 42.86 100 57.14

Average 111.00 63.43 64.00 36.57

Knowledge of the Respondents on Environmental and Health Hazards of Pesticide Use

Table 10. Continued…

Hazards on Air

Pesticides contribute to air pollution.153 87.43 22.00 12.57

With pesticides use, disease could occur.143 81.71 32.00 18.29

Pesticides contribute to acid rain buildup. 96 54.86 79.00 45.14

Pesticides affect the ozone layer. 98 56.00 77.00 44.00

Average 122.50 70.00 52.50 30.00

Hazards on Water

Pesticide residues contaminate bodies of water. 158 90.29 17 9.71

Pesticide is responsible for water pollution. 139 79.43 36 20.57

Pesticide contributes to the proliferation of algae. 59 33.71 116 66.29

Groundwater could be affected by pesticide leaching 111 63.43 64 36.57

Pesticides can accumulate on the bottom sediments of rivers, lakes, streams etc. 86 49.14 89 50.86

Average 110.60 63.20 64.40 36.80

Table 10. Continued…

HEALTH HAZARDS

Hazards on Humans and Living Organisms

Pesticides can kill birds, insects and others.148 84.57 27 15.43

Pesticides could affect nontarget organisms. 100 57.14 75 42.86

Pesticides can accumulate on the body of organisms101 57.71 74 42.29

Pesticides can create pest resistance.106 60.57 69 39.43

Pesticides affect the food sources of human and animals. 118 67.43 57 32.57

Pesticides can lead to the migration of animals.111 63.43 64 36.57

Pesticides can cause abnormalities on human and animals.121 69.14 54 30.86

Pesticides could enter the human body through skin, inhalation or ingestion. 105 60.00 70 40.00

Average 113.75 65.00 61.25 35.00

CONCLUSIONS

1. Most farmers were in their middle age (43 years old); secondary education was the highest educational attainment; mostly were married; attended seminars on rice farming; with limited knowledge on proper handling and application of pesticides.

2. Insecticides, molluscicides, rodenticides and fungicides were the pesticides commonly used by the farmers.

3. Wearing protective clothing and storing pesticide in safe places were the most common handling practices; knapsack sprayer was commonly used; and burying empty containers near their houses was the disposal practices adopted by the farmers.

4. Agricultural Technologists from the LGU-Ibajay were the main sources of knowledge and information of the farmers on the proper use of pesticides.

Cont…

5. Dermal symptoms (skin rashes, redness of the skin, and blackening of the toe nails), neurological symptom (headache), and ophthalmic symptoms such as eye itching and vision blurredness were experienced by the farmers due to mishandling of pesticides.

6. Hazard on use of pesticides on soil, water, air humans and living organisms were known to the farmers, but they had limited knowledge on how to get out from their usual practices on pest control.

Cont…

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Farmers should be given continuous trainings and seminars on the proper use of pesticides.

2. Technical assistance by Agricultural Technologists should be strengthen especially on the use of organic farming to minimize the use of commercial pesticide.

3. Locally made information materials such as videos, leaflets, flyers, comics, brochures on proper use of pesticide should be available to farmers.

Cont…

4. The Agricultural Technologists may utilize the findings of this study to incorporate proper use of pesticide in their training design and seminars, particularly providing safety precautionary measures to safeguard the welfare of the poor and vulnerable rice farmers.