A Review of Health Risks Associated with Pesticides Use among Ghanaian Farmers

Abstract

Pesticides are widely used in the management of pests and diseases in vegetable production in Ghana. However, several negative implications including adverse health effects are observed mainly due to misapplication of the pesticides. This review is to assess how much farmers know about the health challenges associated with exposure to pesticides, and what they perceive to be the hazards around their use. In this work published scientific papers with the words pesticide, health risk, exposure, vegetables were reviewed. Also Publications relating directly to the review title in Ghana was greatly considered.

The findings indicate that the majority of farmers are unaware of real pesticide risks and therefore underestimated their potential human and environmental health risks. It was observed that farmers misused pesticides, in terms of the types used and quantities applied and the farmers themselves were not adequately protected on the job. Farmers however acknowledged that they do experience some common consequences of pesticide exposure which include itching, headache, weakness, dizziness, burning sensation, catarrh, stomach pain, unconsciousness, itching of eyes and body pains. Farmers are misapplying pesticides by disregarding the potential harmful effects of pesticides on human health. The findings indicate the need for Agricultural Extension officers, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Health Ministry to intensify education of farmers to reduce the exposure and health risks to farmers.