A research fellow at the Victorian Department of
Health and Pesticides, London, Dr Cletus Agbatu, has cautioned the general public against the
persistent use of pesticides to reduce the negative effects on health.
Agbatu gave this advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to him, pesticides are used to control insects like cockroaches, mosquitoes, butterflies, worms, fleas and flies or rodents like rats and mice.
He said: "Pesticides are chemicals designed to kill or harm pests and they include insecticides used for insect control, herbicides for weed control, and rodenticides used for rodent control.
"These are toxic and if used carelessly, they may affect the health of user, family, pets or the environment.
"Nowadays, they are indiscriminately purchased from supermarkets, stores and hawkers.
"While pesticides are important in the management and control of spread of diseases, they should not be used carelessly."
Agbatu, also the Chief Executive Officer, Tropics Care International, Maryland, Lagos, identified some of the risks associated with the indiscriminate use of pesticide to include poisoning, breathing challenges, allergies, skin reactions, vomiting and cancer.
"More severe poisoning may also lead to changes in heart rate, neurological diseases, thoracic infections, chest tightness, muscle weakness and twitching, difficulty in breathing, walking, constricted pupils and incontinence.
"In very severe cases of poisoning, seizures and unconsciousness may occur.
"Symptoms of acute poisoning from pesticides may begin shortly after exposure and may include headache, dizziness, nausea, stomach cramps, excessive saliva, sweating and diarrhoea," he warned
"People must also consider non-chemical pest control measures as alternates to chemical which is more harmful or go for the least toxic household pesticide available.
"The option of using traps can be explored, but should not be laid in areas where children, pets or native animals can be harmed.
"Another great alternative to the persistent use of pesticides, which is also effective in combating pests is keeping the environment clean.
"Food scraps should be disposed properly in the trash can with a lid, gutters should be cleared of leaves and other debris that may collect water and outside fumigation can be practised.
"Plants and flowers should be regularly trimmed and cracks on the walls should be sealed,".
Agbatu gave this advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to him, pesticides are used to control insects like cockroaches, mosquitoes, butterflies, worms, fleas and flies or rodents like rats and mice.
He said: "Pesticides are chemicals designed to kill or harm pests and they include insecticides used for insect control, herbicides for weed control, and rodenticides used for rodent control.
"These are toxic and if used carelessly, they may affect the health of user, family, pets or the environment.
"Nowadays, they are indiscriminately purchased from supermarkets, stores and hawkers.
"While pesticides are important in the management and control of spread of diseases, they should not be used carelessly."
Agbatu, also the Chief Executive Officer, Tropics Care International, Maryland, Lagos, identified some of the risks associated with the indiscriminate use of pesticide to include poisoning, breathing challenges, allergies, skin reactions, vomiting and cancer.
"More severe poisoning may also lead to changes in heart rate, neurological diseases, thoracic infections, chest tightness, muscle weakness and twitching, difficulty in breathing, walking, constricted pupils and incontinence.
"In very severe cases of poisoning, seizures and unconsciousness may occur.
"Symptoms of acute poisoning from pesticides may begin shortly after exposure and may include headache, dizziness, nausea, stomach cramps, excessive saliva, sweating and diarrhoea," he warned
"People must also consider non-chemical pest control measures as alternates to chemical which is more harmful or go for the least toxic household pesticide available.
"The option of using traps can be explored, but should not be laid in areas where children, pets or native animals can be harmed.
"Another great alternative to the persistent use of pesticides, which is also effective in combating pests is keeping the environment clean.
"Food scraps should be disposed properly in the trash can with a lid, gutters should be cleared of leaves and other debris that may collect water and outside fumigation can be practised.
"Plants and flowers should be regularly trimmed and cracks on the walls should be sealed,".
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