The global consumption of pesticides has been on an exponential rise due to the high demand for food production. With the world population being at a current 7 billion people, an additional 2 billion will be added by 2030 to make the world a 9 billion rendezvous. Chemicals are needed in our daily lives as they have great efficacy in dealing with pesticides. However, their effects can be deadly if improperly managed.
A more sustainable approach to dealing with pests is imperative as the pesticide problem persists. There are many documented effects of pesticides which the layman needs to understand. Due to their chemical nature, pesticides are toxic to human health and the environment. Some pesticides have known capabilities of polluting water, soil and air. In addition, the pesticides have a long residence time in the environment and take time to be decomposed. Birth defects can arise due to pesticides as well as development of certain chronic diseases.
The toxicology of pesticides is even greater in children than adults due to the fact that young children are still developing their nervous systems. It is therefore essential to ensure that children are protected from pesticide exposure. Suicidal fatalities globally have a significant portion attributable to oral ingestion of pesticides. Their safekeeping is therefore necessary to prevent abuse.
Key elements of pesticide safety include training, awareness, chemical labelling and using novel pest management practices such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Integrated Pest Management uses traditional methods such as natural enemies and crop rotations.
Controlling routes of exposure through Personal Protective Equipment is an imperative reality if the battle to fight pesticide pollution is to be won. The use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) is a necessary step towards attaining safe pesticide use.
Pesticide containers continue to give a headache to people all over the world and also the stockpiles of expired pesticide are wrecking serious havoc in our communities.
Over the last decade, the streets of Harare, Zimbabwe have been characterised by the increase in the number of people who are selling pesticides illegally. Some of the pesticides have bright attractive colours such as yellow and pink such that you can easily misconstrue them to be sweets. Some have a fruity smell and must never be near the reach of children as they may consume them unknowingly. Registration of all pesticide selling outlets should be a priority for the protection of the environment, the people who use them and non-target animals that might get in contact with them, if we are to attain sustainable development.
