Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 3.5
List of pesticides banned in Kenya by PCPB since 1997
Common name
Previous usage
DDT
Dibromochloropropane (DBCP)
Ethylene dibromide (EDB)
2,4,5-T
Chlordimeform
All isomers of HCH
Chlordane
Captafol
Heptachlor
Toxaphene (camphechlor)
Endrin
Parathion (methyl and ethyl)
Aldrin, dieldrin
a
Lindane
Insecticide mainly for mosquito control
Soil fumigant
Soil fumigant
Phenoxy herbicide
Acaricide/insecticide
Insecticide
Insecticide
Fungicide
Insecticide
Acaricide
Insecticide
Insecticides
Insecticides, mainly for termite control
Allowed only for seed dressing
a
No longer available in Kenya
Source
: Wandiga, Lalah and Kaigwara 2002
The information reviewed in this section illustrates Kenya's longstanding history of intensively
using toxic pesticides that have long since been prohibited in other countries to combat outbreaks
of disease and pest populations that threaten human and domestic animal life. In the case of the
rice industry, increases in production and pesticide applications have resulted in the resurgence of
some insect pests (e.g., leaf hopper and plant hopper species, and whorl maggots and caseworms)
and a decrease in others (e.g., stem borer species) (Heinrichs and Mochida 1984). The emergence
of pesticide resistance in rice pest species has driven research and development of alternative pesti-
cides and biocontrol technologies/strategies worldwide (Heinrichs 1981; Heinrich 1994). The use of
indigenous predators, parasitoids and insect pathogens as well as the development of more resistant
rice varieties are the cornerstone of modern integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Such
measures have reduced dependence on chemical pesticides such as carbofuran in many countries.
Although the level of the research undertaken in Kenya may not yet have reached comparable
dimensions, existing technologies involving IPM can provide alternatives to the use of carbofuran
and other pesticides that menace non-target organisms and should be pursued as part of a viable pest
control strategy.
Residues of organochlorine, organophosphorus and (more recently) carbamate compounds
have also been detected in non-target species including domestic animals (e.g., cattle), fi sh,
birds and people, often at levels of concern. Table 3.6 summarises various concentrations of
pesticide residues detected in birds, fi sh and mammals (including humans) in Kenya from the
1970s to 2008.
The concern regarding carbofuran runoff into surface waters when the compound is applied in
fl ooded irrigation schemes has nonetheless been raised (Moses, Johnson and Anger et al. 1993;
Hutson and Roberts 1994; Lalah, Kaigwara, Getenga et al. 2001). The leaching potential of car-
bofuran in Kenyan soils has also been demonstrated (Lalah and Wandiga 1996a, b). The most
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