Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
0.14
0.131
Lindane
Endosulfan
Diazinon
Propoxur
0.12
0.1
0.089
0.088
0.089
0.08
0.073
0.073
0.08
0.066
0.06
0.051
0.05
0.04
0.04
0.029
0.02
0.011
0
0
0
0
5-9
10-14
15-19
Over 20
Age groups (yr)
FIGURE 15.16
Mean concentration of insecticide residues in the blood in a number of selected cacao farmers in Southwestern
Nigeria, based on their years of exposure. (Adapted from Sosan, M. B., Akingbohungbe, A. E., Ojo, I. A. O., and
Durosinmi, M. A. 2008. Insecticide residues in the blood serum and domestic water source of cacao farmers in
Southwestern Nigeria.
Chemosphere
72: 781-784.)
15.5 Pesticide Epidemiology and Health Hazards of Occupational Exposure
Problems associated with pesticide hazards to man and to the environment are not con-
fined to the developing countries. Developed nations have already suffered these prob-
lems and are still facing some problems in certain locations. For many reasons, the severity
of pesticide hazards is much pronounced in the third world countries. A number of long-
persistent OCs and highly toxic organophosphates, which have been banned or severely
restricted, are still marketed and used in many developing countries (Mansour 2008).
The general population could be exposed to low levels of pesticides, mainly through
food and environmental residues in air and water. In addition to this, workers dealing
occupationally with pesticides are much exposed to these substances through agriculture
and household practices, as well as formulation, packaging, distribution, and selling (WRI
1996). Pesticides' epidemiological data and some reports of occupational health hazards in
selected countries (e.g., Egypt, India, and Pakistan) are briefly described next.
15.5.1 Egypt
For about 25 years, the use of DDT and many other OCPs in Egyptian agriculture has been
banned. However, these long-persistent compounds are still detectable in many different types
of environmental samples (e.g., water, fish, sediment, vegetables, fruits, milk, foodstuffs, etc.).
Epidemiological investigations increasingly address pesticides and their potential
association with human diseases. This increased concern for human toxicity potential
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