Field Survey: Use and impacts of pesticides in four countries in Asia

For over sixty years, farmers have faced constant exposure to toxic pesticides, leading to significant acute poisoning cases and long-term health issues that affect multiple generations. A 2020 systematic review estimated that approximately 385 million farmers and agricultural workers are poisoned by pesticides annually, resulting in around 11,000 fatalities.

This translates to about 44% of farmers experiencing poisoning each year, with rates increasing to 51% in Southeast Asia and 65% in South Asia. The long-term effects of pesticide exposure are not reflected in these statistics and include serious health issues such as cancers, immune system dysfunction, birth defects, neurological damage, infertility, and metabolic disorders.

The rise in poisoning cases correlates with an 81% increase in global pesticide use since 1990, highlighting the failure of countries and UN agencies to implement effective safety measures. Furthermore, with around 160 million children engaged in child labor globally, more than 70% are involved in agriculture, exposing them to harmful pesticides during fieldwork.