Chemical pollutants such as pesticides and other pollutants from industrial and agricultural development have increased environmental health disasters worldwide. Pesticides, fertilizers and heavy metal pollutants contaminate soil, water, and air increasing human exposure to the dangerous chemicals. According to People and Planet, chemical pollutants in the atmosphere cause and worsen tuberculosis, bronchitis, heart disease, cancer, and asthma.[1]

The Environmental Protection Agency defines a pesticide as any chemical substance that destroys or damages pests.[2] Chemically-based pesticides not only present dangers to farmers, but also to consumers and bystanders. Even after vegetables and fruits are washed and peeled, pesticide residues remain inside the crops.[4] According to a study conducted at Harvard School of Public Health, there is a 70% increase of risk in developing Parkinson’s disease in people who have been exposed to even the lowest amounts of pesticides.[5]

In many developing countries, farmers have had no instruction on how to properly use pesticides or how to protect themselves against intoxication of the chemicals.  This is a huge health problem, considering that the majority of developing countries depend on agriculture to survive.[3] 

What can be done? Pesticide use is prevalent in the developing world. However, there are ways to minimize the environmental health risks of pesticides and chemical pollution. It is important that farmers know how to properly use and manage pesticides, and are aware of the dangers of pesticides and how to effectively protect themselves from intoxications. In the United States, pesticides have been used with alternative pest control substances that dilute the harmful chemical substances. This method needs to be expanded to the developing world. It is important that pesticide regulation is prioritized, in order to minimize the environmental and health risks that chemical pollutants impose on the world. Science continues to develop new pesticides which are less harmful to people and the environment.[6]  It is important for this technology and information to be passed on and implemented in the developing world where pesticide use is high and healthcare minimal.

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[1] People and Planet. www.peopleandplanet.com.
[2] Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. www.wikipedia.org.
[3] Jors, Eric. 2006. “Occupational pesticide intoxications among farmers in Bolivia: a cross-sectional study”. Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source. 5:10.
[4], [5], [6] Wikipedia.