Pesticide Poisoning in Maharashtra

Why in news?

• Recently, around 20 people have died due to pesticide related infections in Vidarba.

What is the crux?

• Those spraying pesticides in cotton fields started taking ill recently.
• 20 died and over 800 people are now in hospital - with symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, stomach ache, and vision loss.
• The Maharastra government has ordered a probe & announced compensation for the families of the diseased.
• The damage seems to have been caused by excessive inhalation of organo-phosphate and organo-chloride groups of insecticides.
• It first enters the fat below the skin, and then the blood.
• Bombay High Court issued notices on a PIL seeking criminal action against the officials concerned and pesticide firms.
• Agriculture Department has meanwhile initiated a ‘Quality Control’ probe to check the pesticides.

What aggravated the current crisis?

• As height of the crop this year was around 5 feet or more, it necessitated spraying at head level.
• The winds & high temperatures that made pesticides stick on the skin of sprayers were also critical factors for the episode.
• Also, the spacing reduction between rows & increased mono-cropping of cotton aggravated the situation.  
• The agri-department also admits the rampant use of pesticides with little information.
• The grade of the pesticide used and its potency needs closer scrutiny.

What can be done?

• Pesticide spraying is more remunerative than other farm options due to the risks involved.   
• While the labourers were aware of the hazards, they didn’t seem to have received any advice on precautions to be taken.
• Stricter adherence to the Insecticides Act, 1968, that requires the agricultural department to train farmers in pesticide use is needed.
• Also, the government is planning to make it compulsory for Krushi Seva Kendras that sell fertilizers to provide proper advisories.
• There is also a need to enhance the reach of protection kits.

Source: Indian Express