Focus on health risks of pesticides

Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 19:

Pointing at health risks that pesticides pose, participants of an interaction on the ‘problem of pesticides and solutions’ said precaution must be taken while using pesticides and that they should be disposed of safely.

Addressing the programme, Ganesh Kumar KC, programme director at the Crop Protection Directorate, said that time has come to think of disposing of hazardous pesticides left in Lalitpur and Amlekhgunj for several years. “Pesticide, a big business in the 70s’, has emerged as a threat to the mankind.” According to KC, excessive use of pesticides damages crops and affects consumers’ health.

Dhuruba Narayan Manandhar, an entomologist and expert on Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP), said, “excessive use of pesticides can cause cancer and other diseases.” As POPs can remain in humans and the environment longer than other pesticides, people should keep themselves away from POPs, he said. The interaction was organised by the Society for Human Rights, Environment, Law and Governance Activities.