Evaluation of Pesticides Used in Agriculture - Putumayo, Colombia

Abstract

The objective was to identify the pesticidesemployed by farmers in Putumayo, evaluatingthe fulfillment of legal dispositions on managementand personal protection measures.Methodology: Field descriptive observationalstudy, in areas of illicit crops. Results: 490 subjectswere evaluated, from whom 25.9% were identifiedas exposed to pesticides. The age distribution ofthe pesticide exposed was: 1-10 years-old (19,7%),10-18 (18,1%), 18-35 (33,9%), 35-55 (23,6%)and more than 55 years old (4,7%). Most of thereported products were toxicological categoryI. Out of the 109 subjects in formulationactivities, 95,4% used a manual method withno gloves.. Out of the 115 subjects in application,76,5% used back bomb and 23,5% estacionary bomb. 97,6% of the exposed group did not useelements of personal protection. The emptybottles were disposed in an inappropriate way.In the six months preceding the study 198 accidentalcontacts were reported in 72 subjects.Conclusion: the inadequate used of toxicpesticides is worrying, as well as the lack ofknowledge about their legislation. It is advisablethat academic, governmental and agrochemicalentities establish efforts to fulfill the function ofeducation, control and supervision of the pesticidesuse, disregarding if it is a licit or illicit crops.

Keywords

• Pesticides
• Colombia
• protectivedevices
• pesticide residues