HERBICIDES ARE ESCALATING SEVERE PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEMS BUT UNAVOIDABLE FOR FOOD SECURITY

Herbicides are designed to kill unwanted vegetation and there has been a gradual increase in production and consumption of herbicides in agriculture to meet the rising food demands. But use of these toxic chemicals beyond the tolerance level have created imbalance in the system. Herbicides have undesirable effects on non-target organisms including humans directly or indirectly as their mode of action are not specific to one species. Although many of these chemicals are utilized or destroyed, much of these are released into the air, water and soil, representing a potential environmental hazard. Most of herbicides interfere with functioning of plant hormones or enzymes that do not have any direct counterpart in animals so these are less toxic to mammals compared with insecticides. Estimates of World Health Organization reported 3 million cases of pesticide poisoning every year and up to 220,000 deaths. Epidemiological studies and public health reports indicate that certain herbicides may be the reason for unintended, direct poisoning and various acute and chronic health concerns, especially in farmers, farm families, formulators, mixers and agricultural workers. Even very low levels of exposure during development phase of young children (foetal growth) may have adverse health effects. Children eat and drink more than adults in relation to their body weight and also inhale relatively more air so take relatively more residues.