Pesticide poisoning affects nearly half of farm workers worldwide

Nearly one in two agricultural workers worldwide suffers acute pesticide poisoning at least once a year, ERR reported, citing a new international study. The researchers estimate that this amounts to up to 433 million poisoning cases annually, while about 11,000 people die each year after exposure to pesticides.

A research team from Germany, Malaysia and the United States examined data from 139 countries, using scientific literature published between 2006 and 2023 and mortality databases from the World Health Organization.

The study found that about 46 percent of the world’s estimated 934 million agricultural workers experience pesticide poisoning each year. The highest numbers of nonfatal poisonings were recorded in South and Southeast Asia and East Africa.

Most deaths involve people unintentionally inhaling pesticides, swallowing them or absorbing them through the skin.

The researchers said global pesticide use has steadily increased since 1990 and has doubled overall. In 2023, consumption reached 3.8 million tonnes.

The researchers also noted that many milder poisoning cases never enter official hospital records. Agricultural workers in developing countries often lack the money or opportunity to seek medical care, as well as protective equipment and safety training.

To improve the situation, the researchers recommend following guidelines from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and gradually removing the most dangerous pesticides from agriculture.

The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health.