Working conditions
Death in small doses (01.01.02)
Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), Death in small doses: Cambodia’s pesticide problems and solutions, London 2002
In Cambodia it was observed that hazardous pesticides are used in a very hazardous fashion, in the wrong strength and without farmers protecting themselves. Protective clothing is prohibitively expensive and impractical in the tropical heat. In a survey of the FAO nearly 90% of farmers who used pesticides had experienced symptoms of pesticide poisoning during or after spraying (Sodavy et al 2000). These included chest pains, night sweats, dizziness, vomiting (35%) and loss of consciousness. In addition to the poisoning of farmers pesticides contaminate food and water supplies. Pesticides kill many beneficial species that feed on pest insects and the pest problem is exacerbated as a result. Integrated pest management and organic farming present safe and economically viable alternatives to the current highly hazardous practices.
Shanahan M, and Trent S, Death in small doses – Cambodia’s pesticide peril, Pesticides News 56, 6-7, 2002
Sodavy P, Sitha M, Nugent R, and Murphy H, Situation analysis: Farmers’ awareness and percep-tions of the effects of pesticides on their health, FAO Community IPM program, 2000
In Cambodia it was observed that hazardous pesticides are used in a very hazardous fashion, in the wrong strength and without farmers protecting themselves. Protective clothing is prohibitively expensive and impractical in the tropical heat. In a survey of the FAO nearly 90% of farmers who used pesticides had experienced symptoms of pesticide poisoning during or after spraying (Sodavy et al 2000). These included chest pains, night sweats, dizziness, vomiting (35%) and loss of consciousness. In addition to the poisoning of farmers pesticides contaminate food and water supplies. Pesticides kill many beneficial species that feed on pest insects and the pest problem is exacerbated as a result. Integrated pest management and organic farming present safe and economically viable alternatives to the current highly hazardous practices.
Shanahan M, and Trent S, Death in small doses – Cambodia’s pesticide peril, Pesticides News 56, 6-7, 2002
Sodavy P, Sitha M, Nugent R, and Murphy H, Situation analysis: Farmers’ awareness and percep-tions of the effects of pesticides on their health, FAO Community IPM program, 2000
