Pesticides and Human Health

Abstract

Pesticides are used in managing pests and their use will continue in future because of food security and vector control. Most pesticides are potentially toxic to human beings resulting in severe health consequences. There is also evidence that parental exposure, as well as, exposure in early life or adolescence could increase the longer-term risks. Pesticide exposures have been linked to many human diseases such as Alzheimer, Parkinson, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, asthma, bronchitis, infertility, birth defects, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, diabetes, and obesity, respiratory diseases, organ diseases and system failures. People who are exposed to pesticides are at a greater risk to develop various cancers including non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), leukemia, brain tumors, and cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, stomach, colorectal, liver, and the urinary bladder. The cell culture is an excellent experimental model reflecting human exposure to pesticides at a molecular level which is necessary to understand the hazards. Pesticide users should be aware of their risks and proper handling, as well as must use personal protective equipment which is effective in reducing damage to human health. Carcinogenic pesticides must be eliminated and sustainable and new approaches in pest management should be encouraged.