EFFECT OF MANUFACTURED PESTICIDES AND FERTILIZER TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BABY
Of course the manufactured pesticides and fertilizer give the effect in the development of the baby. Dutch research showed that for partners of men highly exposed to pesticides, time to pregnancy may be longer and female-biased sex rations of babies can occur (de Cock. J, 1995). Another Dutch study showed that in couple in which the man had been exposed to pesticides, fertilization rates were nearly four times lower than non-exposed couples (Tielemans. E et.al, 1995).
In the study of greenhouse worker, sperm concentration and proportion of normal sperm were significantly lower in men with high pesticide exposures than those with low-level exposures (Abell. A et.al, 2000). Another study of male greenhouse workers with high exposure to pesticides was at greater risk of infertility (Rupa D.et al, 1991). Half on the semen sample collected from 97 Ontario farmers who had recently use the pesticides shows that their sperm found to contain an abnormal number of chromosomes that can interfere with chromosome segregation and increase risk of genetic syndromes such as Turner’s syndrome (Recio. R et al, 2001).
There is also considerable evidence linking pesticide exposure to birth defects and to spontaneous abortion (Arbuckle T. & Sever L, 1998). This associated with foetal vulnerability to disruption of hormone levels, nervous system function and other especially during brief but critically periods in early development (Jackson R et. al, 2001). New evidence state that exposure to certain cholinesterase-inhibitors during brain development could have serious permanent effects (Brimijoin. S. & Koenigsberger. C, 1999).
A review of epidemiological studies on paternal occupation and birth defect showed that agriculture related paternal occupations were repeatedly reported to be associated with birth defects. Possible mechanisms include mutagenic damage to sperm DNA and household contamination by substances brought home by father (Chia. S & Shi. L, 2002). Pre-natal exposure to hexachlorobenzene will cause the failure of testicles to descend when the urethra opens on the underside of penis.
The other birth defect that cause by uses of pesticide and fertilizer are the risk of having spina bifida, hydrocephaly, limb reduction, oral cleft and multiple anomalies. Parent who expose to the pesticide and fertilizer during the fertilization and pregnancy have a high risk in birth defect to their offsprings.
Picture shows Indian baby, born with hydrocephaly in an area of Kerala heavily-sprayed with endosulfan. The use of this pesticide has been linked to high rates of birth defects in this area (EFJ, 2002) andhydrocephaly has been specifically linked to pesticide exposure ( Kristensen F et.al, 1997). The child died shortly after this photo was taken.
Shruti, a young Indian girl, whose severe congenital deformities have been linked to pesticide exposure (EFJ, 2002).
Avinash, from Palepaddy, in Indiahas cerebral palsyand cannot walk ortalk. His village is ina ‘hot-spot’ where high exposur eincidence of neurological disorders has been linked to pesticide (EFJ, 2002)
SUGGESTION AND WAY TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE PESTICIDE / FERTILIZER USE.
Pesticide and fertilizer are a public health and environmental concern. Many chemical are uses in making pesticide and fertilizer cause poisoning, infertility, birth defect and other disease and disorder.
Agriculture system that does not depends on synthetic chemical that come from petroleum source will bring prosper and make a different in a quality of ecological, human health and social benefit. Hence greenhouse worker will end up their critical health problems that occur because of mishandling and low education about the dangerous of fertilizer and pesticide. There are various ways in organic farming that we can use as the alternative agriculture beside the uses of fertilizer and pesticide.
A 2002 study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that children who eat organic foods are exposed to “significantly lower” levels of organophosphorus (OP) pesticides than those who eat conventional foods. (Curl & Cynthia L et al, 2011)
Organic farming works in nature rather than against it. This farming method involved using technique to achieve good crop yields without harming the natural environment or greenhouse worker and people in that area. Crop rotation, polyculture, biology pest controlled and genetic engineering practices, such as insect breeding interference, trap crops, which attract pests away from the valuable crops.
CROP ROTATION.
Crop rotation means we planned order of specific crops planted on the same field. The crop that we plant must belong to a different family than previous one. By using this method, the insect pests and disease-causing organisms are hosts specific. For example rice stem borer feed mostly on rice, if we do change the crops belonging to the other family the pest will die due to absence of food.
The advantages of crop rotation are we can reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals and the pest’s build up, prevent diseases, maintains soil fertility and it is also can control mite, insect pets. It is also can reduced use of chemical pesticides that can harm human health if the mishandling happens during fertilizing and poisoning the crop by using the pesticides.
TRAP CROPS, WHICH ATTRACT PESTS AWAY FROM THE VALUABLE CROPS.
Trap crop also known as a sacrifice crop. It refer to plant that you grow in your farm to attract pests away from the main crop you are grow. By planting a trap crop near to the main crop the pest will be attracted to the trap crop and will usually leave the main crop alone. However, before planting the trap crop farmer should first choose the suitable trap crop that can avoid the pest away from the main crop. Farmer also needs to use the correct timing and layout for the good impact. By using this kind of organic method, the uses of chemical such as benzene, naphthalene and xylenes in pesticides can be decreases and no more health impact to the greenhouse worker. (Picture shows marigold as a trap crop. Picture source from: agritech.tnau.ac.in)
BIOLOGICAL PEST CONTROL
Biological control of pests and diseases is a method of controlling pests and diseases in agriculture that relies on natural predation rather than introduced chemicals. Biological pest control is the best way to ensure the crop are saved and can be harvest successfully. The predators such as ladybird, praying mantis, spider, ground beetle, parasitic wasps can be used to avoid the attack from grasshoppers, termites, aphids, caterpillar and slug to the crops. Picture shows ladybird as a pest control. (Picture source from; gardenerstips.co.uk)
ORGANIC COMPOST
Organic compost is the organic matter that has been rotten down by bacteria and microorganisms reaction. The decaying organic matter is very effective material to increase the soil nutrient. This compost will improve the structure and fertility of soil.
GENETIC DIVERSITY
Genetic diversity will help the crop grow healthy. Traditional crop have greater genetic diversity that allow them to protect them against pests and diseases and acts as insurance against crop failure in unusual weather such as drought or flood (HDRA). Growing a number of different crop really help the crop to ensure their survival.
The example of genetic diversity is planting two different crops in the same place by strip to prevent from disease and pest attack.
Table below shows the advantages of using organic method compared to the conventional farming according to HDRA.
ORGANIC FARMING | CONVENTIONAL FARMING |
· Increase long-term soil fertility. · Control pests and diseases without harming the environment · Ensure that water stays clean and safe. · Use resources which the farmer already has, so the farmer needs less money to buy farm inputs · Produce nutritious food, feed for animals and high quality crops to sell at a good price. | · Artificial fertilisers and herbicides are easily washed from the soil and pollute rivers, lakes and water courses. · The prolonged use of artificial fertilisers results in soils with a low organic matter content which is easily eroded by wind and rain. · Dependency on fertilisers. Greater amounts are needed every year to produce the same yields of crops. · Artificial chemicals destroy soil micro-organisms resulting in poor soil structure and aeration and decreasing nutrient availability. · Artificial pesticides can stay in the soil for a long time and enter the food chain where they build up in the bodies of animals and humans, causing health problems. · Pests and diseases become more difficult to control as they become resistant to artificial pesticides. The numbers of natural enemies decrease because of pesticide use and habitat loss |
CONCLUSION
Organic food is the best answer in order to avoid the uses of pesticides and fertilizer. Organic foods grow without the uses of synthetic pesticide and fertilizer that contains TPH which contain hexane, benzene, toluene, xylenes, naphthalene and fluorine. The uses of these substances to crop will later give the effect to the human health especially worker due to mishandling of fertilizer and pesticides. Some study state that pesticide effect to human health as well as unborn baby. Even low-level pesticide exposure, however, can be significantly more toxic for foetuses and children. Table below shows the effect of petroleum in pesticides and fertilizer to human growth.
TOXICITY | EFFECT TO HUMAN |
Benzene | Probable carcinogen (cancer-causing agent), Central Nervous System (CNS) depression, Irregular heart rhythm |
Toluene | Mutagenic (causes mutations), CNS depression, Respiratory, irritation, Liver, kidney damage |
Xylenes | Abdominal pain, vomiting; CNS effects; Heart and liver damage; Bone marrow damage |
Ethlbenzene | Narcosis, CNS effects, Skin and eye irritation |
Pahs Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Arsenic | General Class with varying degrees of toxicity, several of which are potential carcinogens. Varying degrees of toxicity. Arsenic is a carcinogen and has reproductive effects. Lead can cause kidney disease, malnutrition, and weakness. |
Naphthalene | Abdominal Pain, Jaundice, Renal failure, Optical neuritis and corneal damage |
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Abell, A. et al. (2000). Semen quality and sexual hormones in greenhouse workers. Scandinavian Journal Of Work Environment & Health 26: 492- 500.
Akingbemi, B. & Hardy,M. (2001). Oestrogenic and antiandrogenic c Oestrogenic and antiandrogenic chemicals in the environment: effects on male reproductive health. Annals of Medicine 33: 391-403.
Arbuckle,T. et al. (1999). 2,4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid residues in semen of Ontario farmers. Reproductive Toxicology 13:421-429.
Arbuckle,T. & Sever, L. (1998). Pesticide exposures and fetal death: A review of the
epidemiologic literature. Critical Reviews in Toxicology 28: 229-270.
Brimijoin, S. & Koenigsberger, C. (1999). Cholinesterases in neural development: New findings and toxicologic implications. Environmental Health Perspectives 107: 59-64 Suppl.1
Chia, S. & Shi, L. (2002). Review of recent epidemiological studies on paternal occupations and birth defects. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 59: 149-155.
Curl & Cynthia L et.al. (2011) “Organophosphorus Pesticide Exposure of Urban and Suburban Pre-School Children With Organic and Conventional Diets,”. Environmental
de Cock, J. (1995). Exposure To Pesticides Of Fruit Growers And Effects On Reproduction:An Epidemiological Approach.Wageningen Agricultural University, Netherlands.
EJF. (2002). End of the Road for Endosulfan – A call for action against a dangerous pesticide. Environmental Justice Foundation: London, UK.
Eric S. Lorenz (2009) Potential Health Effects of Pesticides. The Pennsylvania State University : Communications, Health Perspectives and Marketing.
Garcia, B. & Meza, M. (1991). Principales vias de contaminacion por plaguicididas an neonatos-lactantes residentes an Pueblo Yaqui, Sonora, Mexico. Inst Tecnol Sonora DIEP 1: 33-42.
HDRA - What is Organic Farming? the organic organization
Jackson, R. et al. 2001. Sensitive population groups. In Kreiger, R. (ed.) Handbook of
Pesticide Toxicology. 2nd ed.Vol 1: Principles. Academic Press :San Diego.
Kristensen, F. et al. (1997). Birth defects among offspring of Norwegian farmers, 1967-1991. Epidemiology 8: 537-544.
Newbold, J. (1997). Chile pays the price for exports. Pesticides News 37: 8.
Ntow,W. (2001). Organochlorine pesticides in water, sediment, crops, and human fluids in a
farming community in Ghana. Archives Of Environmental Contamination And Toxicology 40: 557-563.
Pearson, H.( 2002). Pollutants mature sperm prematurely. Nature Science Update [www.nature.com/nsu/020701/020701-4.html].
Petrelli, G. & Figa-Talamanca, I. (2001). Reduction in fertility in male greenhouse
workers exposed to pesticides. European Journal of Epidemiology 17: 675-677.
Recio, R. et al. (2001). Organophosphorous pesticide exposure increases the frequency of sperm sex null aneuploidy. Environmental Health Perspectives 109: 1237-1240.
Romero M. et al. (2000). Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides in milk of Nicaraguan mothers. Archives Of Environmental Health 55: 274-278.
Rupa, D. et al. (1991). Reproductive performance in population exposed to pesticides in cotton fields in India. Environmental Research 55:123-128.
Swan, S. et al.(2000).The question of declining sperm density revisited: An analysis of 101
Studies published 1934-1996 Environmental Health Perspectives 108: 961-966.
Tielemans, E. et al. (1995). Pesticide Exposure and decreased fertilization rates in vitro. Lancet 254: 484-85.
