August 10, 1998
Dangerous Pesticide Use Conditions in Nigeria
More than 600,000 farming households in the Akwa Ibom State
of Nigeria may be exposed to pesticide hazards due to poor
handling conditions, according to a recent study based on
interviews with 180 households in agricultural areas of the
region. Researchers found that use of highly hazardous
pesticides and inadequate safety precautions are common.
According to the study, the predominant pesticides used in
the region were monocrotophos, pirimiphos-methyl,
carbetamide, paraquat, atrazine, oxidiazon and the
pyrethroids lambda-cyhalothrin and cypermethrin. Thirty-three
percent of households reported using lindane, a highly-
persistent and widely banned insecticide; 17% reported using
DDT. The head of the study, Dr. A.J. Udoh at the University
of Uyo in Nigeria, stated that widely banned pesticides --
such as lindane, DDT, aldrin and dieldrin -- are all used
because they are readily available or cheaper than pesticides
recommended by government extension agents.
Although most farm families reported having some knowledge
about pesticide safety, 43% said they had received their
information from friends and neighbors. The study found signs
that information about safety was lacking, particularly in
how families store pesticides. Only 20% of the farmers
surveyed stored pesticides in their original containers,
while 55% used other bottles or containers and 15% used food
and beverage containers. Investigators also observed
pesticides being stored alongside food, in non-ventilated
rooms and in living areas. The study pointed out that these
practices are highly dangerous, and that children sleeping in
these rooms may inhale pesticide fumes or may accidentally
consume pesticides stored in food or drink containers. An
average of six children live in each household.
According to the study, many of the commonly used pesticides
should not be applied to crops less than five to 21 days
before harvest. However, none of the households observed a
safety period of 21 days, and 22% harvested their produce
only three days after the last application.
The majority of respondents (82%) were crop farmers, while
18% raised livestock and poultry. Crop production was the
main area of pesticide use, with farmers growing maize,
cowpea, cassava, garden egg, tomato, fluted pumpkin, oil
palm, citrus and cocoa. Over 50% of the farm produce is for
family consumption. Since family members work with pesticides
in the fields and then consume much of the same produce at
home, they are exposed to pesticides both occupationally and
through residues on foods.
Source: Pesticides News, June 1998.
Contact: The Pesticides Trust, Eurolink Business Centre, 49
Effra Road, London, SW2 1BZ, England; fax (441 71) 274-8895;
email pesttrust@gn.apc.org
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