Study identifies discrepancies in WHO classifications of pesticide hazards
May 7 2021
Scientists are calling for more stringent pesticide bans to lower deaths caused by deliberately ingesting toxic agricultural chemicals, which account for one fifth of global suicides.
A Sri Lankan worker using pesticides without any protection. Image Credit: University of South Australia
A NHMRC funded study, in which the University of South Australia analyzed the patient plasma pesticide concentrations, has identified discrepancies in World Health Organization (WHO) classifications of pesticide hazards that are based on animal doses rather than human data.
As a result, up to five potentially lethal pesticides are still being used in developing countries in the Asia Pacific, where self-poisonings account for up to two thirds of suicides.