Pesticide Poisoning and Regulations

Syllabus: GS2/ Health, GS3/ Environment

Context

• A new study has revealed that over 70 per cent of wild bee species, crucial for pollinating food crops, face alarming risks from pesticide residues in soil.

What is Pesticide?

• Pesticides are substances or mixtures of substances that are used to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate pests. 
• Pests can include insects, rodents, fungi, weeds, and other organisms that can negatively impact agriculture. 
• Pesticides are commonly used in agriculture to protect crops from pests and increase yields.
• The main categories of pesticides include:
  • Insecticides: Designed to control or kill insects.
  • Herbicides: Used to control or eliminate unwanted plants (weeds).
  • Fungicides: Target fungi and prevent or control fungal diseases.
  • Rodenticides: Designed to control rodents, such as mice and rats.
  • Bactericides and Virucides: Target bacteria and viruses, respectively.
  • Nematicides: Control nematodes, which are microscopic worms that can damage plant roots.

Concerns with Use of Pesticides 

• Health Risks: Pesticide exposure poses serious health risks to farmers, and communities living in close proximity to agricultural areas.
  • Short-term effects may include nausea, dizziness, and skin irritation, while long-term exposure may lead to chronic health problems, including respiratory issues and certain types of cancer.
• Environmental Impact: Runoff from fields treated with pesticides contaminate water sources, leading to water pollution. 
• Residue in Food: Residues of pesticides remain on crops and find their way into the food supply. 
• Impact on Non-Target Organisms: Beneficial insects, pollinators, and natural predators can be harmed by pesticide applications, disrupting ecosystems and agricultural sustainability.
• Resistant Pests: Over time, pests can develop resistance to certain pesticides, rendering them less effective.
  • This results in a cycle of increased pesticide use, which further contributes to environmental and health issues.

Regulation of Pesticides in India

• Insecticide Act, 1968: Pesticides are regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture through the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIB & RC) constituted under the Insecticide Act, 1968.
  • The CIB & RC regulate the manufacturing, import, transport, storage of pesticides and accordingly the pesticides are registered/ banned/restricted by CIB & RC.
• FSSAI aligns with the updated standards of maximum residue limit (MRL) (pesticides 0.01 milligrammes per kilogramme (mg / kg) to 0.1 mg / kg in herbs) set by Codex Alimentarius Commission (an International Food Safety and Quality Standard setting body created by WHO and FAO of UN) and the European Union.
• Anupam Verma Committee: It was constituted by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to review 66 pesticides which are banned/restricted in other countries but continued to be registered for use in India.

Way Ahead

• Organic farming: Organic farming avoids the use of pesticides which results in food products that are free from harmful chemical residues with higher levels of essential nutrients.
  • The government is promoting use of biopesticides, which are generally safer than chemical pesticides.
• FSSAI has also asked State Food Safety Commissioners to undertake an awareness campaign on pesticides/insecticides residues in fruits and vegetables.
• Promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM): IPM involves a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical control methods to manage pests in an environmentally sustainable manner. 

Concluding remarks

• Pesticides remain a vital tool in modern agriculture, contributing to food security and economic stability. 
• However, their use must be carefully managed to balance agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability and human health. 

Source: DTE