{
  "id": 5027064,
  "title": "Almost half of world’s farmers poisoned by pesticides every year, experts find",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/almost-half-of-worlds-farmers-poisoned-by-pesticides-every-year",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-02T06:00:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Guardian",
    "slug": "the-guardian",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/02/50-per-cent-world-farmers-poisoned-pesticides-every-year-experts"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study reveals that pesticide poisoning affects nearly half of the world's farmers every year, with an estimated 402-433 million cases of unintentional acute poisoning occurring annually. The study, conducted using publicly available data from 2006-2023, found that approximately 46% of the global farming population is impacted by pesticide exposure. Southern Asia, followed by south-east Asia and east Africa, experience the highest number of poisonings. India accounts for nearly 60% of these fatalities, with nearly 84% of farmers and farm workers in Burkina Faso having experienced poisoning. The study also estimates that pesticide poisoning leads to around 11,000 deaths each year, with India accounting for nearly 60% of these deaths. The research urges for immediate action, including the implementation of a UN recommendation to phase out highly hazardous pesticides. Despite global efforts to highlight the dangers, pesticide use has steadily increased, with 3.8 million tonnes used in 2023, a doubling since 1990.",
  "summary": "Study reveals that pesticide poisoning kills 11,000 people each year, with India accounting for nearly 60% of fatalities Almost half of the world’s farmers are poisoned by pesticides every single year, a study has found. Using publicly available data from 2006-2023, the study, which was commissioned by Pesticide Action Network , found there to be an estimated 402-433m cases of unintentional acute…",
  "key_points": [
    "Nearly half of world's farmers experience pesticide poisoning annually (402-433 million cases)",
    "Southern Asia, south-east Asia, and east Africa see highest poisoning rates",
    "India accounts for 60% of pesticide poisoning deaths (84% of Burkina Faso farmers affected)"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The widespread impact of pesticide poisoning on nearly half of the world's farmers underscores the urgent need for regulatory action to mitigate the health risks associated with pesticide use.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Guardian Health",
        "title": "Almost half of world’s farmers poisoned by pesticides every year, experts find",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/almost-half-of-worlds-farmers-poisoned-by-pesticides-every-year-5031557",
        "published": "2026-09-02T06:00:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}