PRACTICES AND KNOWLEDGE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH HAZARDS OF PESTICIDE USE
PRACTICES AND KNOW LEDGE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND
HEALTH HAZARDS OF FARM PESTICIDE USE
Kenneth D. Barrientos
AKLAN STATE UNIVERSITY-IBAJAY CAMPUS
College of Hospitality and Rural Resource Management
Ibajay, Aklan
1
PRACTICES AND KNOWLEDGE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND
HEALTH HAZARDS OF FARM PESTICIDE USE
Kenneth D. Barrientos
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to find out the practices and knowledge on environmental and health hazards on farm pesticide used by rice farmers in the seven agricultural barangays in the Municipality of Ibajay, Aklan. Data were collected from the 99 rice farmers and 76 barangay officials from January to
February 2013 using an interview schedule translated in the Aklanon dialect to elicit information.
Results showed that the respondents were mostly males, 43 years old, married, and finished secondary education. Most of the farmers were landowners with an average size of one hectare irrigated farmland. They had participated in local governance and members of associations. All farmers used insecticides to control rice pests. Most of them safely applied pesticides using knapsack sprayer, wore long-sleeves, long pants and facemask. They stored pesticides safely by burying empty pesticide containers and some were burned.
Farmers acquired their knowledge on pesticides from the Agricultural
Technologists of LGU Ibajay assigned in the municipality. The health problems experienced associated with pesticide mishandling were skin rashes redness of skin discoloration of the nails, shortness of breath, vomiting, itching of eyes and blurred vision. Generally, farmers had knowledge on the environmental and health hazards of pesticides.
Keywords: Pesticides Knowledge Practices Environmental hazards Health hazards Pesticide residues
1
INTRODUCTION
Pesticides are important agricultural input used to eliminate pests and ensure increase rice production. However, studies shows that the unsystematic use of pesticides had
HEALTH HAZARDS OF FARM PESTICIDE USE
Kenneth D. Barrientos
AKLAN STATE UNIVERSITY-IBAJAY CAMPUS
College of Hospitality and Rural Resource Management
Ibajay, Aklan
1
PRACTICES AND KNOWLEDGE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND
HEALTH HAZARDS OF FARM PESTICIDE USE
Kenneth D. Barrientos
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to find out the practices and knowledge on environmental and health hazards on farm pesticide used by rice farmers in the seven agricultural barangays in the Municipality of Ibajay, Aklan. Data were collected from the 99 rice farmers and 76 barangay officials from January to
February 2013 using an interview schedule translated in the Aklanon dialect to elicit information.
Results showed that the respondents were mostly males, 43 years old, married, and finished secondary education. Most of the farmers were landowners with an average size of one hectare irrigated farmland. They had participated in local governance and members of associations. All farmers used insecticides to control rice pests. Most of them safely applied pesticides using knapsack sprayer, wore long-sleeves, long pants and facemask. They stored pesticides safely by burying empty pesticide containers and some were burned.
Farmers acquired their knowledge on pesticides from the Agricultural
Technologists of LGU Ibajay assigned in the municipality. The health problems experienced associated with pesticide mishandling were skin rashes redness of skin discoloration of the nails, shortness of breath, vomiting, itching of eyes and blurred vision. Generally, farmers had knowledge on the environmental and health hazards of pesticides.
Keywords: Pesticides Knowledge Practices Environmental hazards Health hazards Pesticide residues
1
INTRODUCTION
Pesticides are important agricultural input used to eliminate pests and ensure increase rice production. However, studies shows that the unsystematic use of pesticides had
Cited: Environmental Protection Agency (1991). Applying Pesticides Correctly: A Guide for Private and Commercial Applicators http://www.aglearn.net/resources/resUse/pestAppMeths.pdf. Date retrieved: December 4, 2012. Indira Devi, P. (2009). Health Risk Perceptions, Awareness and Handling Behaviour of Pesticides by Farm Workers in Kerala Available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/ docs/pm6.pdf. Date retrieved: December 6, 2012 Kedia, Satish K. and F.G. Palis (2008). Health Effects of Pesticide Exposure among Filipino Rice Farmers http://www.dec.ny.gov/ docs/pm6.pdf. Date retrieved: December 4, 2012 Noble, S.H Oczon, J.D. (2012) Practices on Handling, Application and Disposal of farm Pesticides on the Municipality of Malay Pingali, P. L., Marquez, C.B., Palis, F. G. and Rola, A.C. (1994) The impact of pesticides on farmers health: A medical and economic analysis in the 4. Date retrieved: December 4, 2012 Rola, A.C