Impacts on farmers health due to pesticides exposure in agriculture sector of Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan

Pesticides are used in excessive amounts in agricultural fields to kill pests and increase crop production. This study is mostly carried out in developing countries like Pakistan. Although these chemicals lessen pests and other microorganisms but at the same time, they have severe bad effects too on health of workers and rest of community which get exposed to pesticides through any mean. This study was done in the city of Gujrat and its surrounding areas with 300 field farmers as participants. This study purpose was to evaluate health problems to workers due to pesticide exposure. Most of the farmers were used to breathe in ambient air with pesticides mostly without the use of any mask or any other personal protective equipment. Results showed that most ad frequent health issues were cough, flue and skin irritations, 75.3% of workers were reporting these problems with 51.3% of workers along confirmed medical reports. Among the respondents, about 41% workers were having cough problem and 60% with flu. Besides this, 15% people from them were experiencing the severe skin allergies and rashes. This study reveals that extreme application of pesticides and lack of use of PPEs have headed to the acute problems in workers which may grow to chronic one and this practice stays continue without any pause. For reducing the pesticide exposure to farmers and minimizing health related problems, a proper guide is require for the use of protective masks and making the workers aware about hazardous effects of pesticides.