Air pollution from pesticides linked to farmers respiratory illness

A Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana's School of Public Health, Mr. John Arko Mensah, has warned farmers to wear protective masks and clothing while spraying chemicals, citing exposure as a significant cause of respiratory illness and contributing to air pollution-related health issues in Ghana. Despite this, most Ghanaian farmers continue to forego protective equipment while using pesticides.

Health experts have linked chemical exposure to various long-term diseases, including cancer and respiratory illnesses. With air pollution estimated to cause around 28,000 deaths annually in Ghana, experts believe that simple measures such as wearing masks and following best spraying practices could prevent these deaths. The country's agriculture sector heavily relies on pesticides and herbicides to control pests.

However, both UDS and UG studies have shown that farmers face direct contact and inhalation during spraying. The World Health Organization also identifies ambient air pollution as a leading cause of premature death in Ghana. Speaking to Adom News, Mr. Mensah highlighted that chemicals from pesticide sprays enter the air, causing air pollution which can affect farmers' health through cancer and heart disease.

He emphasized the dangers of direct exposure without protection and the contamination of water sources due to runoff. A preliminary study at the Ankobra River detected traces of pesticides from spraying, raising concerns about water contamination. Mr. Mensah urged farmers to wear protective equipment before spraying and cautioned about the long-term, slow-acting effects of chemical exposure.

Former Secretary of the Peasant Farmers Association, Mr. Charles Nyaaba, echoed similar concerns, advising farmers to spray during cooler parts of the day, use masks, gloves, and boots, and follow best practices when handling pesticides. He shared personal experiences of feeling headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting after pesticide exposure, as well as the development of cancers among those who have used these chemicals for years.

Mr. Nyaaba stressed the broader impact of air pollution from spraying, not just on farmers but on surrounding community members. Farmers in the Volta Region have also reported health issues like headaches and skin diseases from unprotected pesticide spraying. In Ashaiman, many farmers have developed poisonings, with the youth and elderly being the most affected.

Emmanuel Asare, a farmer from Ashaiman, called for government support in providing protective gear and education on pesticide use. Mr. Stephen Kadre, Chairman of the Ashaiman Left Bank Rural Farmers Association, also appealed for government assistance, specifically requesting drones for precise and safer pesticide spraying. Both Mensah and Nyaaba call for increased training and awareness among farmers to improve food production without compromising their health.

Health experts stress that protecting farmers must be treated as a public health priority, given the WHO's estimate of 28,000 premature deaths annually from air pollution, largely due to agricultural burning and chemical drift.