Screening and Prioritization of Pesticide Application for Potential Human Health and Environmental Risks in Largescale Farms in Western Kenya

Zedekiah Odira Onyando (), Elizabeth Omukunda, Patrick Okoth, Sandra Khatiebi, Solomon Omwoma, Peter Otieno, Odipo Osano and Joseph Lalah
Additional contact information
Zedekiah Odira Onyando: Department of Biological Sciences, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega P.O. Box 190-50100, Kenya
Elizabeth Omukunda: Department of Biological Sciences, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega P.O. Box 190-50100, Kenya
Patrick Okoth: Department of Biological Sciences, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega P.O. Box 190-50100, Kenya
Sandra Khatiebi: Department of Biological Sciences, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega P.O. Box 190-50100, Kenya
Solomon Omwoma: Department of Physical Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Bondo P.O. Box 210-40601, Kenya
Peter Otieno: Pest Control Products Board, Western Region, Kisumu P.O. Box 2757-40100, Kenya
Odipo Osano: Department of Environmental Health, University of Eldoret, Eldoret P.O. Box 1125-30100, Kenya
Joseph Lalah: Department of Chemical Science, Technical University of Kenya, Nairobi P.O. Box 52428-00200, Kenya

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-20

Abstract: Pesticide application in agricultural and residential areas is a worldwide practice. However, human pesticide poisoning and environmental pollution through pesticide residues remain a challenge in the developing world. The present study investigated the intensity of pesticide application in large-scale farms in Trans-Nzoia County to screen and prioritize the pesticides for potential human health and environmental risks. A cross-sectional survey involving 348 farmers was conducted in the study area, and data was analyzed using SPSS. Environmental Exposure Potential (EEP) and Toxicity Potentials (TP) were analyzed from the Pesticide Properties Database (PPDB). Majority (99.4%) of the farms surveyed apply various pesticide classes that include: organophosphates (34.78%), neonicotinoids (15.22%), carbamates (10.87%), pyrethroids (10.87%), organochlorines (8.7%), triazoles (6.5%), copper-based (4.34%), avermectines (2.17%), triazines (2.17%), and amidines (2.17%), with the use of organic manures (26.3%). Despite the high prevalence of pesticide application, only 48.28% of farms conduct soil quality monitoring, 77.3% of whom do not have clear records and schedules for conducting periodic soil analyses. There was a strong positive correlation between the acreage of operation and the use of herbicides in weed management (r = 0.77; p ≤ 0.05). In relation to degradation in the environment, 18.42% of the pesticides applied in the study area were persistent in soil sub-systems while 31.58% are persistent in water. Of the pesticides applied, 18.42% had high chances of bioconcentration in living tissues, 10.53% and 13.16% had the potential of contaminating groundwater and surface water resources, respectively. The ranked-order human toxicity potential associated with the used pesticides were teratogenicity (31.58%), neurotoxicity (28.95%), endocrine disruption (7.9%), carcinogenicity (7.9%), and mutagenicity (2.63%). However, 10.53% of the pesticides possess multiple toxicity potentials. Some farmers (53.70%) surveyed were not aware of the negative environmental impacts of pesticides with 59.50% having prior training on the use and handling of pesticides. Despite the availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) on larger farms, 31.9% of the farm workers do not adhere to their use during pesticide application. In conclusion, there is low awareness among farmers of human health and environmental risks associated with pesticide application. The study recommends training of farm managers, farm owners, and farm workers on pesticide handling and associated health and environmental effects.

Keywords: pesticides; human toxicity; bioaccumulation; environmental contamination; risks (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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