TREND OF PESTICIDE USAGE IN BANGLADESH

A survey was conducted on the use of pesticides in Bangladesh as part of the IAEA agrochemical residues project. We found total pesticide co nsumption doubled over the past 6 years. Among the pesticides applied to agricultural crops, insecticides comprised more than 95% of the tot al used, fungicides, weedicides, and rodenticides made up the remainin g 5%. By chemical composition, organophosphorus compounds comprised 60 .4%, carbamates 28.6%, organochlorines 7.6% and others 3.4% of the tot al pesticides. It was found that those used the least were the most en vironmentally caustic pesticides. Although much is known about the pot ential impact of pesticides on the environment and health, more data i s required to ascertain the present effects and future risks of increa sed pesticide use.