Handling and monitoring pesticides

Reports about a UAE ban on the import of some vegetables and fruits from Jordan have caused concern to many citizens.

The declared reason for the ban is that an unacceptable amount of pesticide residue, considered unsafe for human consumption, has been found on certain produce.

While, understandably, people get seriously concerned when such news breaks out, they should not jump to conclusions before examining facts carefully.

Unfortunately, the precise facts about the matter have not been clearly spelled out.   

Moreover, one cannot fully attest to the monitoring processes in both Jordan and the UAE, nor can one provide information on the pesticide residue standards of the two countries as compared to internationally acceptable standards.

Those are matters better addressed by the pertinent authorities in both countries.

However, what one can provide are facts pertaining to the handling and monitoring of pesticides, and their effect on the human body.

Pesticides are chemicals used to fight and kill insects, fungi, weeds and other pests that may be harmful or damaging to crops.

In addition, they may be used to control disease-spreading insects, such as mosquitoes, in certain regions.

Pesticides are toxic to humans who may be exposed to pesticides through various ways, including occupational exposure, ingestion of non-organic produce (chronic exposure) and exposure at home (pesticide application to garden without taking the necessary precautions or improper handling of stored pesticides).

Individuals at risk from occupational pesticide exposure can take certain precautions to minimise or even eliminate the risk of such exposure.

Proper handling and storage of pesticides at home can eliminate the risk of direct pesticide exposure at home.

Although there have been only a few studies on the effects of chronic exposure to pesticides from produce ingestion (indirect exposure) on mammals, these studies show that this might have several adverse effects on mammals, including an increased risk of cancer (as several pesticides are classified as carcinogenic), reproductive abnormalities, asthma, diabetes and neurological abnormalities.

Children may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of non-organic produce ingestion.

In addition to the diseases listed above, several studies have shown that chronic pesticide exposure in children may be associated with an increased risk of developmental abnormalities, learning difficulties, autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Risk assessment for pesticide residues in food is used to establish a relatively safe intake level after assessing the level of risk.

Acceptable daily intakes are used by governments and international risk managers to establish maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides in food.

MRLs, in ideal instances, are enforced by national authorities to ensure that the amount of pesticide residue consumers are exposed to through eating food over a lifetime will not have adverse health effects.

Higher than acceptable MRLS may increase the risk of some negative health effects, like those previously listed, which highlights the importance of having produce constantly monitored by concerned agencies. Failure to do so may lead to a community health crisis.

Individuals could try to minimise pesticide exposure by consuming organic produce (for which much lower amounts of pesticide or no pesticides at all are used throughout the agricultural process). However, without proper surveillance of the organic farms, there is no guarantee that the crop is truly organic.

Furthermore, the cost of organic produce is much higher than that of non-organic, and few can afford the “luxury” of organic produce.

Since rinsing non-organic produce does not wash away all pesticide residues and consuming organic produce is not a feasible option for many, the only viable precaution to avert a potential community health crisis is to constantly monitor produce and ensure it is up to acceptable worldwide standards. 

The writer is a general practitioner and head of a community screening awareness campaign. He contributed this article to The Jordan Times.