PESTICIDE POISONING - A MAJOR HEALTH PROBLEM IN SRI-LANKA

Acute pesticide poisoning is a major public health problem in Sri Lank a. In several agricultural districts, it precedes all other causes of death in government hospitals. Most of the acute poisoning cases are i ntentional (suicide) and occur among young adults, mainly males. Poiso ning due to occupational exposure is also common, but less well docume nted. In an irrigation area in Sri Lanka a very high incidence of seri ous pesticide poisoning was observed, with 68% due to intentional inge stion of liquid pesticides. It is argued that the easy availability an d widespread use of highly hazardous pesticides is the most important reason for this high number of poisoning cases. The frequent applicati on of highly hazardous pesticides in high concentrations was often irr ational and posed serious health and financial risks to the farmers. S ales promotion activities and credit facilities promoted this excessiv e pesticide use, which was not counteracted by an agricultural extensi on service. Hazardous practices when spraying pesticides were due to t he impossibility of applying recommended protective measures under the local conditions, rather than to lack of knowledge. Current emphasis on programs that promote the safe use of pesticides through education and training of farmers will be ineffective in Sri Lanka because knowl edge is already high and most poisoning cases are intentional. Instead , enforcement of legislation to restrict availability of the most haza rdous pesticides would result in an immediate health benefit. Improved agricultural extension services to promote alternative non-chemical m ethods of pest control is the most important strategy, in the long ter m, to prevent acute pesticide poisoning. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd . All rights reserved.