Pesticide Applications on Some Vegetables Cultivated and Health Implications in Santa, North West-Cameroon

International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science

© 2017 by SSRG - IJAES Journal

Volume 4 Issue 2

Year of Publication : 2017

Authors : Sonchieu Jean, Ngassoum Martin Benoit, Nantia Akono Edouard, Laxman Prasad Srivastava

10.14445/23942568/IJAES-V4I2P108

How to Cite?

Sonchieu Jean, Ngassoum Martin Benoit, Nantia Akono Edouard, Laxman Prasad Srivastava, "Pesticide Applications on Some Vegetables Cultivated and Health Implications in Santa, North West-Cameroon," SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science, vol. 4,  no. 2, pp. 39-46, 2017. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942568/IJAES-V4I2P108

Abstract:

Nationwide surveys conducted on pesticide application in Cameroon raises growing concern of exposure to pesticide uses. This study is aimed at evaluating the use and effects of pesticides in Santa agricultural area, and to estimate the health implications amongst 372 farmers, randomly selected using questionnaires from March 2015 to April 2016. As results: fourteen major vegetables are cultivated; fifteen active ingredients (fixed into twenty six formulations) are used to spray vegetables; 69.8% of pesticide applicators have low educational level (First School Leaving Certificate); spraying parameters (doses, spraying frequency and period, pre-harvesting time; safety measures) are poorly practiced; pesticide wastes and used containers are abandoned in the environment, burned or reuse at home; ailments found are abdominal pain dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, skin irritation, cancers, eye problems, frequent cough/catarrh and reproductive problems; measurement instruments are table spoon, cock of bottle, cans; two to five formulations are frequently mixed, applicators smoke, eat, talk or drink while spraying and 85% of workers are not trained nor assisted. This study raised concern for misuse of pesticides in Santa agricultural area. It calls for pesticide residue analysis in vegetables and water as well as the evaluation of the deep health conditions of the farmers.

Keywords:

pesticides, use, vegetables, health

References:

1) World Health Organization (WHO) Informal Consultation on Planning Strategy for the Prevention of Pesticide Poisoning. World Health Organization, Geneva, 1986.
2) Tinyami, E.T., Choi J.W., Tumenta, T.S., Eko, A.E., Chick, O.A., Small-Scale Tomato Cultivators’ Perception on Pesticides Usage and Practices in Buea Cameroon, Health, 2014, 6, 2945-2958.
3) Henrik, A., Damian, T. and Nicolas, T., Pesticides and health: A review of evidence on health effects, valuation of risks, and benefit‐cost analysis.61 pages Toulouse School of Economics (LERNA), 21 all. de Brienne, 31015 Toulouse Cedex 6, France, 2014.
4) World Health Organization (1990) Public Health Impact of Pesticides Used in Agriculture. World Health Organization, Geneva.
5) Godswill, A. Asongwe, B.P.K. Yerima and Aaron S.T., Vegetable Production and the Livelihood of Farmers in Bamenda Municipality, Cameroon International Journal Current Microbiology and Applied Science , 2014, 3(12): 682-700.
6) Matthews G., Wiles T., Baleguel P.A, survey of pesticide application in Cameroon. Crop Prot. 22, Pp 707-14. , 2003.
7) Sonchieu J. & Ngassoum M.B. Pesticides cases recorded in Ngaoundere, Cameroon over a 27-month period. Toxicology and EnvironmentalChemistry, 2007, 89 (2): 295-296.
8) IUPAC, Compendium of Chemical Terminology. "Pesticide Residue"2nd ed. (the "Gold Book") (1997).
9) Sonchieu, J., Ngassoum, M.B., Tchatchueng, J.B., Ashutosh, K.S., Laxman, P.S. Contamination of cowpea and by-products by organophosphorous pesticide residues in Ngaoundere markets: Dietary risk estimation and degradation study. A. J. F. Sc., 7(5), 92- 102. , 2013.
10) Anye, W.N., the use of pesticides and its health implications on vegetable farmers in Santa sub-Division, A dissertation submitted to the for the award of post graduate teacher diploma, HE, SEFM, HTTTC, UBa, Bamenda, Cameroon, 2015, 48 pages.
11) Kamga, A. Kouame, C., Tchindjang, M., Chagomoka, T., Drescher, A.W., Environmental impacts from overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides amongst market gardening in Bamenda, Cameroon. Revue Scientifiqueet Technique Forêt et Environnement du Bassin du Congo 1: 6-19, 2013.
12) Tarla, D.N., Manu, I.N., Tamedjouong, Z.T., Kamga, A. & Fontem, D.A., Plight of Pesticide Applicators in Cameroon: Case of Tomato (Lycopersiconesculentum Mill.) Farmers in Foumbot. Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences December 2015, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp.87-98
13) MINADER, Annuaire des Statistique du Secteur Agricole Campagne 2004/2005, AGRIC-STAT N° 013, 2007.
14) Tata, P., Ijang, N. Francis, G. N. N., Ngayong, J. W., Baseline survey for setting up smallholders’ sustainable vegetable seed supply and distribution system in humid tropics areas of Cameroon. Integrated Agricultural Systems for the Humidtropics, a CGIAR Research Project. AVRDC, The World of Vegetables Center, 2013.
15) Amawa, S. G., Jude, N. K., Tata, E. S. & Azieh, E. A., the Implications of Climate Variability on Market Gardening in Santa Sub-Division, North West Region of Cameroon Environment and Natural Resources Research; 2015. Vol. 5, No. 2; ISSN 1927-0488 E-ISSN 1927-0496 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education
16) Asongwe, G.A., Yerima, B.P.K., Tening, A.S., Vegetable Production and the Livelihood of Farmers in Bamenda Municipality, Cameroon. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 2014, 3(12): 682-700
17) MARD (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), National Registration Commission of Phytosanitary Products And Certification of Sprayers, List of Homologated Pesticides in Cameroon : Reserved For The General Public 31 Juillet 2013, 40 pages.
18) Tourneux, H. Smallholder understanding of phytosanitary pictograms in North Cameroon, Cotton and tropical fibres. 1993, 48(1): 41-56.
19) Sonchieu J., Selling pesticides in Ngaoundere, Cameroon. crop protection.2006, Vol. 48; pp: 180-181.
20) Henrik, A., Damian, T. and Nicolas T., 2014. Pesticides and health, 2006.
21) Jors, E., Morant, R.E., Aguilar, G.C., Huici, L.F., Baelum, J., Konradsen, F. Occupational pesticides intoxications among farmers in Bolivia a cross-sectional study. Environmental Health 5: 10, 2006.
22) Bateman, R.P., Rational Pesticide Use: spatially and temporally targeted application of specific products. In Optimising Pesticide Use Ed. M. Wilson. pp. 129-157, 2003.
23) Matthews, G.A., Attitudes and behaviors regarding use of crop protection products. A survey of more than 8500 smallholders in 26 countries. Crop Protection, 2008. 27: 834-846.
24) Abubakar, M., Mala, M.A., Mumin, A., Zainab, T. & Fatima, A.A, Perceptions of Environmental Effects of Pesticides use in Vegetable Production by Farmers along River Ngadda of Maiduguri, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences June 2015, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 212-215
25) Damalas, C.A. and Eleftherohorinos, I.G. Pesticide Exposure, Safety Issues, and Risk Assessment Indicators. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2011, 8, 1402-1419. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph8051402
26) Akono, E. N. , Faustin, P.T.M., Jean, S. Aphrodite, T.C., Ruth, H.B., Isabella, F.K., Dianefaith, F.L. and Augustave, K., Effect of agrochemical on total phenolic coumpounds and flavonoids content in aromaticfresh herbs from Santa (Cameroon), Academia Journal Agricultural Research, 2017, 5 (2): 018-027, DOI: 10.15413/ajar.2017.0207.
27) Berinyuy, J.E., and Fontem, D.A., Evaluating postharvest opportunities and constraints to utilization and marketing of African leafy vegetables in Cameroon. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development 11:4646- 4663.
28) Tomenson, J.A., Matthews, G.A. Causes and types of health effects during the use of crop protection chemicals: data from a survey of over 6,300 smallholder applicators in 24 different countries. International Arch Occupational Environmental Health, 2009. 82(8): 935–949.
29) Tanga, M.G., Effects of pesticide use on hepatic and renal functions in gardeners in the Western highlands of Cameroon. Master of Science Thesis in Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Cameroon. 78 p, 2014.
30) Nity Nishant and Rupa Upadhyay, Interventions in Handling of Pesticides in Agriculture: A Review. Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences June 2016, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 113-133
31) Arafa, A, Afify, M., Samy, N., Evaluation of Adverse Health Effects of Pesticides Exposure (Biochemical & Hormonal) among Egyptian Farmers. Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 2013, 9(7): 4404-4409.