Introduction

Agrochemical refers to the broad range of agricultural chemicals such as herbicides, insecticides,
synthetic fertilizers, fungicides, and other chemical growth agents. Pesticides are broadly utilized
as a part of agricultural production to counteract or control pests, diseases, weeds, and other plant
pathogens with an end goal to reduce or eliminate yield losses and keep up high product quality.
Despite their popularity and broad utilization of pesticides, some serious concerns about health
risks arising from residues in food and drinking water for the general population. These elements
play an important role in the collection of toxins inside the body. The human body cannot dispose
of them, might be because of fat solubility and limited excretory capacity. This results in the
accumulation of toxins causing serious health problems. Through our daily life activities, we are
unknowingly exposed to one or other type of toxin. Low level introduction to chemicals that can
possibly cause long-term effects may not cause quick injury, but repeated exposures through food
chain and water leaching can extraordinarily expand the risk of chronic adverse effect.

Acute agriculture poisoning

Accidental/Suicidal:

Self-poisoning with agricultural pesticides represents a major hidden public health

problem accounting for approximately one-third of all suicides worldwide. It is one of the
most common forms of self-injury in the Global South. The World Health
Organization estimates that 300,000 people die from self-harm each year in the Asia-
Pacific region alone. Most cases of intentional pesticide poisoning appear to be
impulsive acts undertaken during stressful events, and the availability of pesticides
strongly influences the incidence of self-poisoning. Pesticides are the agents most
frequently used by farmers and students in India to commit suicide.

Chronic agriculture poisoning:

Ocuupational:

Pesticide poisoning is an important occupational health issue because pesticides are

used in a large number of industries, which puts many different categories of workers at
risk. Extensive use puts agricultural workers in particular at increased risk for pesticide
illnesses. Exposure can occur through inhalation of pesticide fumes, and often occurs in
settings including greenhouse spraying operations and other closed environments like
tractor cabs or while operating rotary fan mist sprayers infacilities or locations with poor
1
ventilation systems. Workers in other industries are at risk for exposure as well. For
example, commercial availability of pesticides in stores puts retail workers at risk for
exposure and illness when they handle pesticide products. The ubiquity of pesticides
puts emergency responders such as fire-fighters and police officers at risk, because
they are often the first responders to emergency events and may be unaware of the
presence of a poisoning hazard. The process of aircraft disinsection, in which pesticides
are used on inbound international flights for insect and disease control, can also make
flight attendants sick.
Different job functions can lead to different levels of exposure. Most occupational
exposures are caused by absorption through exposed skin such as the face, hands,
forearms, neck, and chest. This exposure is sometimes enhanced by inhalation in
settings including spraying operations in greenhouses and other closed environments,
tractor cabs, and the operation of rotary fan mist sprayers.
Residental:
The majority of households in Canada use pesticides while taking part in activities such
as gardening. In Canada, 96 percent of households report having a lawn or a garden. 56
percent of the households who have a lawn or a garden utilize fertilizer or pesticide. This
form of pesticide use may contribute to the third type of poisoning, which is caused by
long-term low-level exposure. As mentioned before, long-term low-level exposure affects
individuals from sources such as pesticide residues in food as well as contact with
pesticide residues in the air, water, soil, sediment, food materials, plants and animals.

FOOD CHAIN
Pesticides can enter the food chain in many ways. When pesticides sprayed on crops,
and consumed as fodder by livestock, can leave residue in animals. Similarly, when
pesticides wash off with rainwater into streams can cause the planktons absorb these
into system and in turn eaten up by aquatic animals. Fishes consumed later by humans
can cause lethal effect of these chemicals.
Organochlorines could therefore possibly find their way into our bodies through the food
we eat or the water we drink and since they don’t break down easily, they bio-
accumulate in fatty tissues.

2
Classification:
 Insecticide : warfarin,Alphosphide
 Rodenticide: captan
 Fungicide : Paraquat
 Herbicides: Napthalene
 Miscellaneous

Among these insecticide are most commonly used

Organophosphorus compounds:

1)Alkyl compound:
HETP(Less Toxic)
Endrim
TEPP(Most Toxic)

2)Aryl compound
Parathion
Metacide
Diazinon

Carbamate
Eg.aldicarb

Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
D.DT
Plant Penicillin
Gamexin

ORGANO PHOSPHOROUS COMPOUND

3
Poisoning can be due to

 Inhalation

 Ingestion

 Absorption through skin

They are absorbed through all parts of body Le, skin, conjunctiva, inhalation, through GI
tract and through Injections.

Site of Action

 Myoneural function

 Synapses of ganglion

Physiology of Action

Normally at these sites acetycholine is liberated from nerve stimulation. As a result

impulse is transmitted from motor nerves to voluntary muscles and from sympathetic
nerve to involuntary muscles like bronchi, GI tract, heart etc. The liberated acetycholine
is hydrolysed in to choline and acetic acid by cholinesterase. In poisoning the activity of
cholinesterase is inhibited. Soacetycholine gets accumulated and results into
Hyperexcitation of voluntary and involuntary muscles.

A drop in the activity of cholinesterase to 30% of normal produces toxic symptoms.

Pharmacological Action
 Muscarine-like effect
 Nicotine-like effect

 Effect On CNS

a.) Muscarine Like: Following Signs & Symptoms

4
BRONCHIAL TREE

 Tightness of chest

 Increased secretion

 Dyspnoea

 Pulmonary oedema

 Prolonged expiration simulating Br. Asthma

 Discomfort or pain in chest

 Cough

 Cyanosis

Gastro Intestinal

 Anorexia

 Vomitting

 Diarrhoea

 Nausea

 Abdominal Cramps
 Involuntary defaecation

Sweat Glands

 Increased sweating

Salivary Gland
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  Increased salivation

Lacrimal Glands

 Increased tears/ tears may be red due toporphyrin

Heart

 Bradycardia

Pupils

 Pin point

 blurring of vision

Urinary Bladder

 Frequency of micturition and involuntary micturition

b.) Nicotine Like Effect

1. Striated Muscles

 Easy fatigue

 Muscular weakness and twitching and cramps

 Generalised weakness of muscles ofrespiration

2.Sympathetic Ganglia

 Pallor

 Occasional elevation of BP

c.) Effect On CNS

 Irritability & restlessness

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  Mental confusions

 Coma with absence of reflex

 Tremors of hand, lids, face and tongue

 Convulsions

Fatal Dose

HETP-160 mg I.V or I.M; 350 mg oral

TEPP-5 mg IV. or I.M.; 25 mg oral - Symptoms may appear

50 mg I.V. or L.M. 100 mg oral - Fatal

MALATHION-1 gm

PARATHION (FOLIDOL)-80 mg IV or I.M: 125-175 mg oral

DIAZINON (Tik.20) - 1 gm by ingestion

Fatal Period

Fatal cases death may result ½-3 hrs.

In Non fatal cases, acute effects last for 6-30 hrs and gradually fading for 3 days to 3
weeks.

Cause of Death

 Paralysis of musculature

 Respiratory failure

 Circulatory arrest

 Pulmonary oedema

 Oedema of brain

Treatment

7
 1. Decontamination 2. Care of air way 3. Antidote 4. General measures

1.) Decontamination

 Persons handling should wear gloves and mask

 Removal from source of exposure

 Removal of clothes

 Skin should be washed with water and soap

 Gastric lavage with or without 1:5000 potassium permanganate or 5% sodium

bicarbonate Gastric administration of 30 gm of sodium sulphate in 250 ml of water after
Gastric Lavage

2.) Care of airway

a. Foot end to be raised

b. Suction

c. Intubation or tracheostomy

d. Artificial respiration

3.)Antidote

a. Atropine 2 mg I/M or 1/V every 15 mts. Till atropine toxicity effects a. ear (Flushe face, dry
mouth, dilated pupil, fast pulse, warm skin). This is known as Atropinisation.

b. AM (Diacetylmonoxime) act by dephosphorylating the inactivated cholinesterase) (Not to be

used in carbonate poisoning)
4.)Other measures
 Diuretic for flushing of kidney
 Barbiturates for restlessness
 Severe cases may need exchange transfusion

Post mortem Appearance

External
 Face cyanosed .
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  Blood stained froth in mouth and nose
 Kerosine like smell
Internal
 Stomach contain greenish oily substance with kerosene like smell
 Mucosa (stomach) congested with petechialhaemorrage
 Pulmonary oedema
 Hyperaemia of lungs, and brain
Usually alcohol is used as vehicle, hence viscera should be preserved in saturated saline in
suspected cases
Medico legal Aspects
 Suicidal (easy availability)
 Homicidal (Rapid action)
 Accidental (Used as spray in agriculture)

 ENDRIN

Most toxic chlorinated insecticide (Neurotoxic)

 Synthetic
 Fat soluble
 Highly stable
 Unpleasant taste
 Commonly used against insects.
 Since used against plant pests it is known as "Plant Penicillin"

Mode of Action

It is neurotoxic and interferes with nerve impulse transmission. Initially it stimulates CNS
followed
by depression. It causes respiratory failure. It has no effect on cholinesterase.

Signs & Symptoms

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  Ingestion
 Inhalation
 Skin contamination

Onset of symptoms is very rapid

 Vomitting
 Convulsions
 Dilatation of pupil
 Abdominal pain
 Ataxia
 Airway care
 Mental confusion
 Oozing of fine white froth from mouth and nose

Fatal dose

 For toxic symptoms.-1 gm

 Lethal dose-6 gm
 Fatal Period: hr to 1 hr.

Treatment
 Decontamination
 Barbiturates
 10 ml of 10% solu. LV every 4 hrly
 Severe dyspnoea

Post mortem Appearance

External

 Kerosene like smell

 Cyanosed Face and finger nails
 Conjunctiva red
 Fine white froth, occasionally blood stained
 Pupils dilated

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Internal

 Resp passage contains frothy mucous

 Mucous membrane congested
 Petecheal Haemorrhages of lungs and Heart
 Lungs are large, bulky with pulmonary oedema
 Blood is dark
 Liver, kidney and brain are congested.

Medico legal Aspect

 Suicidal (Easily available, cheap)

 Homicidal (Mixed with alcohol, sweets, food)
 Accidental (used as insecticide
 Toxic doses are small

 NAPHTHALENE

 Used as deodarant in toilets

 Characteristic odour
 Insoluble in water but soluble in oil, alcohol, ether, chloroform
 Absorbed from skin, respiratory passage and G.1. tract
 Signs & Symptoms

Signs & Symptoms

GIT

 Gastric irritation
 Abdominal pain
 Nausea
 Vomitting
 Jaundice
 Acute nephritis

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Fatal dose-2 gms

Treatment

 Stomach wash by warm water and mag, sulphate

 Soda bircarb IV
 Steroids
 High carbohydrate diet/vitamins

Post mortem Appearance

 Skin may be yellow

 Gastric mucosa inflammed
 Other organs congested

Medico legal Aspect

 Suicidal- Rare
 Accidental Usually in children

CARBAMATE COMPOUNDS

 These are Aldicarb (Moderately Toxic) and Propoxur or Baygon.

 Usually Carbofuran is used as agrochemical which is extremely toxic.

Fatal Dose: 15gm

Fatal Period: 1-2 minutes with Carbofuran

Signs & Symptoms

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  Similar to organophosphorus compounds except the binding is reversible type so the
symptoms are less severe or may last a shorter duration specially with Aldicarb.

Treatment

 Removal from the source, Decontamination, Put the patient to lateral side to avoid
regurgitation Oxygen inhalation, ventilator support if indicated, Inj. Atropine, Diazepam if
Convulsions.
 Role of oximes is not recommended and is controversial.

Post mortem Findings

 Black granules of carbamate in the stomach.

Medico legal Importance

 Usually Suicidal (Easy Availability)

 Accidental (Used in agriculture.).

Symptoms of chronic poisoning

Chronic poisoning refers to toxicity that develops during continuous exposure to a substance
during many months or years. Repeated attacks of diarrhea, vomiting, etc., are seen. Malaise,
cachexia, depression, and gradual deterioration of general condition of the patient are seen.
Carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, oncogenicity, respiratory tract irritation, liver damage, dermal
and ocular irritation, and allergenic sensitization are the symptoms related to chronic exposure of
fertilizers and pesticides.

Effects of pesticides exposure on children

Children are more susceptible and sensitive to pesticides because their immune system is still
developing and weaker than adults. Children under the age of 6 months are more prone to
experience exposure to breast milk and inhalation of small particles. Toxic residue in food may
give to a child’s exposure. The chemicals can accumulate in the body over time.

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Pesticides outcome on maternal health

Above described pesticides which are poisonous in nature specifically harmful to the women who
are pregnant and the baby whom they are carrying in their womb. Heavy metals such as arsenic,
lead, copper, and mercury which present in agrochemical affect the reproductive system and are
especially toxic to growing fetus because they are not filtered by placenta from mother to child
and are directly deposited in growing fetal tissue. These pesticides can get inside the body by
ingestion, inhalation, dermal exposure, etc..Therefore, the food which a pregnant woman eats
must be nutritious and not metallicious. Therefore, care must be taken by the person to avoid
consuming such substances which may lead to further complications in their pregnancy and
abnormalities in newly born infants.

Preconception and prenatal exposure

Pesticide exposure (before or during pregnancy) has been related with the danger of fetal growth
retardation, infertility, perinatal demise, spontaneous abortion, and premature birth.There is
increasing evidence that in utero exposure increases the risk of small head circumference, small-
for-gestational-age baby, low birth weight, and reduced length. Significant increases in the risk of
congenital anomalies have also been reported. These include limb reduction, eye defects,
urogenital defects, cryptorchidism, orofacial clefts, hypospadias, and heart defects. The
California Birth Defects Monitoring Program reports that three out of every four women are
exposed to pesticidesaround the home. During the first trimester of pregnancy, the nervous
system is rapidly developing in baby, so pregnant women should avoid contact with pesticides
during the 1st trimester. They additionally watched that pregnant women exposed to family
cultivating pesticides had a humble hazard increment for oral clefts, heart defects, and limb
defects. Women living inside ¼ mile of rural yields had the same modest risk of increase for
neural tube defects.

Pesticides can cross the placenta and contamination of breast milk

They have been detected in the amniotic fluid and body tissues of the human fetus even during
early stages of prenatal life. Pesticides have also been found in the meconium.Estimating
organophosphate compounds metabolites in meconium is viewed as a good biomarker of prenatal
exposure because meconium begins to accumulate in the 16th week of pregnancy and is
eliminated following delivery. Breast milk represents the very top of the food chain. Residues of
organochlorine pesticides and persistent organic pollutants have been detected in breast milk in
contaminated areas.

Neurodevelopment effects on growing fetus

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Most studies show that the greatest risk of exposure to pesticides is during the first 3–8 weeks of
the 1st trimester when the neural tube development is occurring.

Exposure during brain growth has some subtle and permanent effects on:

• Brain structure and function

• Neuronal and axonal differentiation

• Synaptogenesis

• Programming of synaptic function

• Neuronal and axonal differentiation

• Alteration of serotoninergic system.

Prenatal exposure and childhood cancer

Some studies have found an association between postnatal pesticide exposure and an increased
risk of pediatric cancers such as renal cancer, brain tumor, acute lymphocytic leukemia, and non-
Hodgkin lymphoma. Prenatal exposure has been associated with leukemia in a new-born after
intensive use permethrin at home by the pregnant mother. Children with certain metabolic
enzyme polymorphisms have an increased danger of intense lymphocytic leukemia when
presented to pesticides in utero or during pregnancy. Brain cancer appears to be associated with
maternal exposure during agricultural activities.

Endocrine disruption

Low dosages of specific pesticides may copy or piece hormones or trigger unseemly hormone
movement, endocrine disruption may alter development and propagation and induce birth
defects, and endocrine disruption has been linked to altered sex ratio, infertility, low sperm count,
and early puberty.

AYURVEDA CONCEPT OF AGRICULTURE POISONING

Dushi Visha (Latent poison) is a unique concept explained in Ayurveda. It is a type of toxin
which remains inside the body for a long time and then produces various ill effects on the body.
[24] In the present era, people are exposing to various toxins in the day to day life which is
causing various health problems. There are many such illnesses where treatment does not work,
as it is not eliminating the cause. The ancient concept of dushi visha seems to be more relevant in
this context.
Nowadays, human is constantly exposed to thousands of potentially toxic chemicals such as
metals, pesticides, environmental pollutants, and social poisons such as tobacco and alcohol. The
human body cannot get rid of them may be due to fat solubility and limited excretory capacity.
15
This results in the accumulation of toxins causing serious health problems. Many times, etiology
is also not known for various diseases. Hence, here, the concept of dushi visha can be
incorporated.
“Toxins cannot be eliminated from the body completely, but it is destroyed or denatured due to
use of anti-poisonous remedies, sun exposure, or due to its low potency. It does not kill the
human instantly, but as it is encapsulated by kapha doshsa, it remains accumulated in the body
for several years producing various ill effects.”
Dushivisha in present scenario Dushita desh (Polluted land), kala (Deranged atmosphere) in
terms of environmental contamination by increased number of industries, automobiles, etc., is
expanding the temperature of the earth which is the principle causative factor for variations in the
seasons definitely causes dushi visha and as a result of environmental contamination as many
chemicals such as pesticide residues may be found in small amounts in the population.
Most of the Dushi visha adhishtanas mentioned in Ayurveda classics can be correlated to
resources that we are using daily. The food, cosmetics, drinks, medicines, toothpaste, etc., are
now accumulated with one or other type of toxic substance. However, people are least aware of
this, and they even show little interest even to read the labels of their daily utensils. The alarming
increase of severe diseases such as cancer, stroke, and heart attack can also be attributed to the
effect of these poisons through our daily goods. Statistics of that disease are distressingly
increasing from past years shows the relevance of this problem
• Processed foods, junk food, and long-term consumption of food with preservatives, coloring
agents, and flavoring agents produce long-term effects
• The chemical manures used to cultivate food grains are found in the food. Consuming
adulterated food for a long time can become a causative factor for dushivisha in term of asatmya
ahara (Improper diet).[26]
Concept of Detoxification According to Ayurveda
Detoxification means removal of toxins from body, it is important for a lady to detoxify her body
before conception. The average time for detoxification depend upon the concentration of metal
toxicity and efficiency of detoxifying organs. It is advisable to adopt healthy life style.

Need of detoxification
Toxins accumulate over years and store in the liver, bones, fat cells and other organs. During
pregnancy, those toxins can be mobilized and transferred to the growing fetus. Unfortunately,
that problem continues into the postpartum period, as the toxic body burden continues to be
mobilized into mother’s milk. Detoxification empowers the release and excretion of toxins. In
this way it is important to detoxify pre planned conception.
For those that have used hormonal contraception; detoxification can assist in restoring a normal
monthly cycle.[27] Many birth defects and fertility issues find their root cause in a toxic build
up/exposure of the parents. Eradicating the body of pollutants and allowing the body to achieve
homeostasis promotes health and a balanced environment; this will optimize fertility; for that
both parent need to carry out detoxification

16
Drugs which act against toxic substances are called as vishghna.
1. Substances with guru (heavy), sheeta (cold), snigdh (unctuous) properties increase ojas and
immunity. So the body can fight with and destroy toxins (milk, ghee, suvarna siddha water)
2. Shirish (Albizzia lebbeck Linn), Tankan (Borex) produce anti Toxic effect-specific potency
known as “prabhav”
3. Toxins vitiate Pitta and Rakta. Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia Linn.), haridra (Curcuma longa
Linn), chandan (Santalum album Linn.), sariva (Hemidesmus indicus Linn), neem (Azadiracta
indica A. Juss) etc., purify blood and pacify Pitta
4. Nimba (A. indica), Patola (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.) helps for vaman by which toxins can
be expelled out.

Status of chemical pesticides use and their

regulation in Nepal

Adverse effect of hazardous pesticides

 Pest resistance
 Resurgence of pests
 Toxic residues in food,water,air and soil
 Pollution to environment
 Elimination of natural enemies
 Disruption of eco system
 Poisoning

PESTICIDES PROBLEMS
 Improper handling
17
  Improper storage
 Improper transport

Pesticide consumption by crop ,2015

Crops Total Quanti

Total
Pesticide (a.i.kg
Area
a.i.kg
(ha)
Cereals 43.975 953.379 0.04
Vegetables 513.967 320.290 1.60
Cash Crops 12.921 69.266 0.18
Pulses 2.178 42.916 0.0
Fruits 1.952 66.880 0.02
Total 574.993 1452.730

18
PPD

19
Areas of pesticide problems in Nepal
• Overdose and frequent application of pesticides in cotton, tea
and commercial vegetable farming areas along with cocktail
spray
• Use of insecticide particularly endosulfan for killing fish in
stream and ponds-fisherman’s practice.
• Use of insecticide particularly DDT in the past and dichlorvos
and malathion at present for the control of the head louse –
public practice.
• Use of insecticide particularly endosulfan on cattle body for
the control of mange.
• Use of pesticide treated grains ( supposed to be dumped or
buried) for making alcohol (local wine) and also for feeding
horses in remote districts.
• Dipping green vegetables particularly broad leaf mustard, tomatoes
and brinjal ( eggplant) in malathion solution in the evening to keep
it fresh and shiny looking and taking the product in the market next
morning-farmer’s practice.
• Dipping tomatoes and brinjal (egg plant) in mancozeb solution just
before taking it in the market to keep it fresh and shiny looking-
farmer’s practice.
• Spraying insecticides on body surface of fish to keep flies while
displaying it on the shop for selling-trader’s practice.
• Throwing away date expired pesticides and empty containers in
public area (green ground, open area), local streams and
drainage/sewage without any hesitation-general practice.
• Use of fumigants particularly aluminium phosphide in the locally
made mud bins with loose cover that are kept either in bedroom or
in storeroom adjacent to bedroom
20
UNSOUND DISPOSAL

PESTICIDE MIXING NEAR WATER

SOURCE

21
USE OF DIFFERENT PESTICIDES

22
Some fact of poisoning cont….
• Developing countries use 25 percent of the world’s production of pesticides
but have 99 percent of pesticide-related deaths. In rural areas, the
percentages of suicides which involve pesticides are:
- 60 percent in China,
- 71 percent in Sri-Lanka,
- more than 90 percent in Malaysia,
- 68 percent in Trinidad and
- 30 percent in India. (Brian, 2005).
• According to WHO, three million acute poisoning cases with 2, 20,000
deaths occur annually throughout the world. Out of these 90 percent of
poisoning cases belongs to developing countries particularly among
agricultural workers (Dhavai et al, 2011).

MEDICOLEGAL ASPECTS
Main points proposed in to the new Pesticide Act 2075

• Definition of pesticide harmonized as

FAO code of conduct.
• Provision of registration of
bio-pesticides and gave
priority to register bio-
pesticides.
• Provision of facilitate warehouse
for storing the date expire, band
23
 and obsoleted pesticides in 7
province.
• Date expire, band and other
spoiled pesticides should
bring back in the same
company(country) by
importer.
• Producers are also given
responsibility about no residue
products produce and bring in
to the market.
• Provision of pesticide quality and
research laboratory establishment.
• Provision of disposal of safe
pesticides.
• Provision of province pesticide
committee.
• Provision on punishment:
Minimum: 25 thousands and one month
prison. Maximum: 2 lakhs and one year
prison

24
 Conclusion and
Recommendations
• PQPMC implement Pesticide Act/Regulation for
pesticide management in the country.
• Hazardous pesticides are banding and need to be
banned.
• Discourage to use WHO Ia and Ib class pesticides.
• Large scale mass campaign should be
carried out to make farmer aware of the
potential harm to the human health and the
environment.
• Organize intensively training about the safe
handling of pesticides to the Agro vets and farmers.
• The alternatives to synthetic chemical
pesticides (mostly biological means) should
be encouraged for pest suppression in
agriculture.
• The governments should give emphasis on
research and extension activities related to
IPM and continuity of IPM program for
minimizing the use of chemical pesticides.
• The pesticide regulations should be enforced
properly.

25
 • The agricultural extension workers should
have proper training in crop protection
especially about the safe handling of
pesticides.
• OP Group, Rodenticides and Carbamates
pesticides should not be sold without prescriptions.
• Minimize the poisoning cases by advocacy about
proper handling the pesticides.
• New Pesticide Act has been tabled in parliament
and hopefully implement very soon.
• New pesticides Act will encourage to solve
some problems of pesticides and minimize
the haphazard use of pesticides. .

DISCUSSION

The use of pesticides is a standard practice in the agricultural production of food

products. Farmers of the ancient days relied on the use of organic farming

26
techniques and methods in cultivating their crops. As commercial farming slowly
increased popularity over organic farming, the natural methods were replaced with
the ones using chemicals for fertilizers, pesticides and weed killers. The potential
of higher yield in a shorter period of time is the selling point of these chemicals.
But heavy dependence on chemicals is starting to take its ringing on the vast
farmlands and on the people’s health. Toxic residues of agricultural chemicals
entering the human diet are of major concern today. According to studies and
researches, pesticides have grave effects on children and these can be measured in
several ways. Children’s internal organs are still developing and maturing, so the
effects can be seen and measured at present and in the future when they have
grown up.

Some health effects from pesticide exposure may occur as you are being exposed
and some symptoms may occur several hours, days or years after exposure. Some
symptoms of pesticide exposure will go away as soon as the exposure stops. Others
may take some time to go away. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding
should check with their doctors before working with pesticides as some pesticides
may be harmful to the foetus (unborn baby) or to breast-fed infants. When a
pregnant woman eats vegetables contaminated with pesticides, the foetus can be
exposed to the harmful chemical and cause birth defects. Pesticides can also be
neurotoxins which can make a person feel light-headed, dizzy and confused, and it
may reduce body coordination and ability to think in the short run. In the long
term, these can result in reduced mental coordination and learning capacities.

Agrochemicals tenaciously accumulate in human being and exist for several years
produced long-term effects similar to Dushi visha. Most of the clinical
manifestation and complication of the cumulative toxicity of pesticides are mimic
with Dushi Visha like repeated attacks of diarrhea, vomiting, malaise, cachexia,
muscle weakness, muscle cramp, dermal and ocular irritation, allergenic
sensitization, respiratory tract irritation, impotency and liver damage.
Carcinogenicity, mutagenicity and teratogenicity are the major complication of
cumulative toxicity of pesticides.

Ayurveda has a rich fortune of medicinal plants which are markedly effective in
the prevention and management of the harmful impact of pesticide exposure.
Herbal medications that hold antihistamine, anti toxic mast cell stabilizer and

27
anti-inflammatory properties should be used to manage toxic symptoms due to
chronic pesticide exposure. Herbs with Antioxidant property improve
neurotransmission and repair of damaged neurons via enhanced regeneration of
nerve synapses, so these herbs protect the brain from oxidative damage and help to
relieve the symptoms of Neurological dysfunction due to pesticide exposure.

Ayurveda has many herbal drugs that have these properties and can serve as a
treatment for pesticide hazards. Herbal drugs control side effects, as well as
enhance quality of life. Charak described fifty mahakashaya in the fourth section of
Sutra sthana. Each mahakashaya has ten herbal drugs. Out of these fifty
mahakashayas, vishghna mahakashaya which includes ten vishghna drugs, play its
role against pesticide poisoning.

CONCLUSION
Pesticides are very harmful to human health and it can cause Serious illnesses and
death in humans. These problems arise from various circumstances, either direct or
indirect human contact with pesticides. It will be good to start organic farming to
maintain good hygiene in future with less use of these pesticides for farming

References

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