When environmental changes undermine a species’ or a population’s ability to survive, it is said to be in an ecological crisis. Pesticides, particularly persistent organic pollutants (POPs), are among the top ten chemicals and hazardous compounds that the WHO has recognized as being a concern for global health. According to the ‘WHO Global Assessment Report of the Burden of Disease from Environmental Risks 2018’, an estimated 12.6 million people died as a result of working or living in an unhealthy environment in 2012. Out of total global deaths, 1 in 4 are due to environmental risk factors.
Environmental risk factors such as pollution of air, water and soil, chemical exposures, climate change, and ultraviolet radiation, ultimately lead to more than hundred morbidities and injuries. Environment and its related factors are important health-related SDG indicators with well-established causal connections to health. The overuse and improper handling of agrochemicals is the primary driver of the ecological disaster. According to the ‘Global Burden of Disease Study 2019’, pollution of any type, including air pollution, lead, and other chemicals, causes one in six deaths globally. Industrialization, urbanization, population growth, the burning of fossil fuels, and a lack of adequate national or international chemical policies account for the 66% increase in deaths.
Because of lack of awareness, training, and proper expertise regarding agrochemicals, it is particularly challenging to determine the influence on human health or the environment in developing nations. In India, the bio-pesticide consumption only accounts for 9% approximately of overall pesticide usage, according to government of India figures from 2020. Injudicious use of pesticides and other persistent organic pollutants in agricultural soils have devastating repercussions for the future. The persistent and ubiquitous nature of various agriculture-based pesticides and other organic pollutants has posed havoc to mankind due to their bioaccumulation properties and high toxicity. These pesticides are known to hinder the normal functioning of endocrine and reproductive systems in living organisms.
ADVERSE IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH
Case studies from Punjab in Northern India have shown evidence of the presence of heavy metals and pesticides in samples of water, soil, fodder, vegetables, milk, urine, and blood. In addition to signs of genotoxic effect, there were significantly more spontaneous abortions, premature births, stillbirths that were five times as frequent, delay in milestone development, language delays, blue lines in the gums in children, mottled teeth, and gastrointestinal diseases, which may have been brought on by water contamination with pesticides and heavy metals. The greater rates of cancer including breast, uterus/cervix, cancers of the blood and lymphatic system, oesophagus, and bones, are associated with pesticides exposure, alcohol and smoking. As a result of the widespread use of agrochemicals, it is possible to find their remnants in the air, water, and soil, entering into the food chain and then adverse health effects on the human body.
The three most important environmental problems affecting the globe now are pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. (Thakur JS, et al. Adverse reproductive and child health outcomes among people living near highly toxic waste water drains in Punjab. IJCE 2010; Genotoxicity and adverse human outcomes among people living along major waste water drains in Punjab, India. WJPR, 2014; and An Epidemiological Study of high cancer among the rural agricultural community of Punjab, India. IJERPH 2008)
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STRATEGIES FOR ALTERNATE METHODS
Various new concepts, including sustainable agriculture reforms and food production that use sustainable practices, have been inspired by the pressing need for a more sustainable and ecological approach. There may be other alternatives available to control crop loss due to pest attack which may include the application of various biopesticides. Developing some pest-resistant crop varieties using various approaches is also one of the methods to avoid pesticide use. Organic agriculture with little use of agrochemicals could be the alternative solution for reducing contamination. Most agricultural universities are spending little on models for sustainable organic farming. Agricultural research is also funded by the agrochemical industry which is a matter of concern.
The issue of soil health can be addressed by various ways such as linking soil security to human health, innovative farming methods (such as Natueco Farming), promotion of food safety and food security. An important component in all is the action related to the multisectoral and intersectoral coordination. The concept of community farming can be promoted so as to shift the pesticide usage practices to bio or organic farming. Millets are also environment-friendly grains that require less water and pesticides to grow and survive. Operation Millet campaign by the World NCD Federation was launched to promote millet-based agriculture and food consumption with a theme ‘Good for you, Good for farmers and Good for planet’.
Policy makers recognize that the excessive and unsystematic application of agrichemical inputs, pesticides and fertilizers in particular, is an obstacle to the development of sustainable agriculture, and poses a threat to the environment and humans alike. There is a need to take decisions at policy level to build and maintain adequate food systems and infrastructures (e.g. laboratories) to respond to and manage food safety risks in the entire food chain, including during emergencies; foster multi-sectoral collaboration among public health, animal health, agriculture and other sectors for better communication and joint action; integrate food safety into broader food policies and programmes (e.g. nutrition and food security); and think globally and act locally to ensure the food production is safe. The key recommendations include the development of sustainable policies; mechanisms of monitoring and evaluation of pesticide availability and usage; inclusion of the concept of sustainable agriculture, agricultural practices and One Health in Education curriculum (school, college, university); promotion of crop diversification with provision of subsidies and evidence-based agriculture educational material for farmers on crop diversification.
There is a need to effectively regulate the use of insecticides/ pesticides and ban hazardous pesticides. Efforts of authors led to banning of glyphosate, a carcinogenic in Punjab, by Farmer Commission of the state. Research priorities should focus on the models of sustainable agriculture, organic farming and promotion of millets. There is a need for setting up and strengthening laboratories for pesticide residue analysis. Incentivizing or subsidies may be provided to farmer groups or farmers for adopting healthy and sustainable agriculture practices. FPOs and civil society organizations investing in sustainable agricultural practices may be promoted and the government should invest in marketing of their produce which is dismally lacking at present.
* Prof JS Thakur is Professor of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh and President, World NCD Federation & NMO Punjab Prant, and Dr Ronika Paika is Technical Coordinator, World NCD Federation, Chandigarh, India.
