Banned DDT still widely in use:Daily Sun

  Banned pesticide dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) is still widely used in the country to kill pests although the chemical substance causes serious health hazards through entering the food chain, experts said. The experts said the farmers, who often use the harmful pesticide in cropland without taking proper protective measures, also develop serious diseases. They also opined that DDT, a h
yper toxic chemical which is banned globally, is being used in cropland for protecting crops. In 1974, the then government had banned DDT in Bangladesh, considering its multidimensional side effects on human health and crops. Pharmacologists and public health experts told daily sun that how DDT is available in the country as the pesticide was banned in Bangladesh since 1974 for its negative impact on farmers’ health and crops. Prof ABM Faroque, a noted pharmacologist, said the use of pesticides as well as chemicals on crops and vegetables is increasing day by day but no individual protective measure has been taken by the farmers and farm labourers to keep themselves free from the hazardous effect of chemicals. So the death case would be more and more day by day because of this effect of pesticides. “Farmers who are directly involved in spraying pesticides are not using mask and washing their hands properly after spraying pesticide. And they are habituated to taking food without washing their hands properly. The toxic materials are being transmitted to the food through this process,” he added. Dr Faroque also said the farmers who use DDT on crops for killing pests are being infected with various diseases like cancer, neurological and respiratory disorders and develop stomach cancer. Prof Dr Monirul Islam, a medicine consultant, said farmers need to be aware of not using DDT as the pesticide is banned and it causes various diseases in their immune system. And they lose human productivity at mid stage of life. “Considering the widespread illiteracy of our farmers, it should be made mandatory for pesticide producers and sellers to print pictures on pesticide containers showing how to use and what health hazards may cause from using such pesticides. Then the farmers will be aware of it and the use of pesticide will come down,” he added. Krishibid Md Abdul Mannan, Director General of Agriculture Extension Department, said the health hazards related to pesticides are being significantly addressed by the government and different projects are now being implemented to create awareness among the farmers, farm labourers and chemical dealers on scientific usage of chemicals. Upazila agriculture extension officer is arranging training programme at union level for different groups, including farmers and pesticide dealers, to introduce new ideas on use of pesticides, he added.