CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The recent “tomato ebola” in Nigeria is a vivid demonstration of the importance of pesticides in modern day agricultural practice [The Guardian 2016]. Without pesticides, unimaginable loss of products could occur while we helplessly look on. However, also quite troubling are the health hazards these pesticides could pose to people. They could also have severe adverse impacts on the ecosystem and economy, particularly as we are compelled to use more and more of them as they lose potency and effectiveness over time. India is one classic example of catastrophic consequences that could attend uncritical use of pesticides. In addition to well-documented severe impacts of the pesticide endosulphan on people, particularly children [TERI, 2004], there is also the incredible number of 300,000 debt-ridden pest control operators resorting to suicide, in the space of fifteen years, in a bid to escape multi-faceted problems associated with the use of pesticides, particularly in the genetically-modified cotton industry in that country [CHRGJ. 2011]. Several responsible bodies and organizations are taking the initiative to ensure safe use of pesticides in Nigeria. Government agencies such as National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), National Agency for Foods and Drugs Control (NAFDAC), the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), the Nigeria Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), etc, are at the forefront of translating research findings to regulations and communicating these to the nation through various workshops. There are also private organizations such as the Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN) and the West African Agricultural and Productivity Programme (WAAPP-Nigeria) working to ensure safe use of pesticides in Nigeria. However most of these bodies address, largely, organized groups of stakeholders such as pest control operators' groups, pesticide marketers, etc, whereas, in Nigeria, virtually every other person is a farmer of sort, with backyard vegetable farms, poultry, or fish ponds, etc. Moreover, there is probably no home where some pesticides are not used to control soldier ants, mosquitoes, cockroaches, termites, rats, etc.

        On the other hand the misuse or over exposure to pesticide could result to occupational hazards among pesticides operators in Nigeria. WHO has divided pesticides into the toxicity classes Ia, Ib, II, III, U in decreasing toxicity, and O being the sign for obsolete pesticides. Obsolete pesticides are defined as those pesticides that can no longer be used for their intended purpose and therefore must be disposed of. These include, among others, banned, outdated, and deteriorated pesticides according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2009). Although a great number of toxic pesticides under the WHO classes Ia and Ib and some pesticides belonging to class II and class O have been restricted for use in several countries, they are still extensively used in middle- and low-income countries. The use of these restricted pesticides is due to its broad spectrum application, costs, and ease of use (Carvalho FP, 2006). The intensive use of pesticides on tomato farms seems to ensure the best-quality produce which guarantees good prices for pest control operators and excellent sales for vendors. Work-related pesticide poisoning has increased globally, especially in less-developed countries. It has been estimated that yearly about 25 million agricultural workers globally experience unintentional pesticide poisoning (Jeyaratnam J., 2009). The main obstacle to control and prevent work-related pesticide poisoning is that the scope and magnitude of this issue often remains uncharacterised, especially in an underserved population such as pest control operators.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

One of the major challenges very human go through is health challenges. Pesticide usage has really improved agricultural output in Nigeria among farmers. However, there are some noticeable issues especially among the pest control operators that uses pesticides. Most of the pest control operators are plagued with diseases such as flu, cough, cold, lungs issues etc. This might be as a result of poor use of pesticides or lack of adequate protective equipment for pesticide usage. The study in this regard is based on the pesticide usage and occupational hazards among pest control operators.  

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study seeks to examine pesticide usage and occupational hazards among pest control operators. The objectives of the study are:

1. To determine the relationship between pesticide usage and occupational hazards among pest control operators in Nigeria
2.   To determine the types of pesticide used by pest control operators in Nigeria
3. To ascertain whether lack of adequate protective equipment is the major causes of occupational hazards among pest control operators in Nigeria
4. To determine other causes of occupational hazards among pest control operators in Nigeria

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The research questions are:

1. What is the relationship between pesticide usage and occupational hazards among pest control operators in Nigeria?
2.   What are the types of pesticide used by pest control operators in Nigeria?
3. Is lack of adequate protective equipment the major causes of occupational hazards among pest control operators in Nigeria?
4. What are other causes of occupational hazards among pest control operators in Nigeria?

1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

H0: there is no significant relationship between pesticide usage and occupational hazards among pest control operators in Nigeria

H1: there is significant relationship between pesticide usage and occupational hazards among pest control operators in Nigeria

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The following are the significance of this study:

1.     The outcome of this research will create awareness to both the general public and pest control operators in Nigeria about pesticide usage and occupational hazards among pest control operators.

2.     This research will be a contribution to the body of literature in the area of pesticide usage and occupational hazards among pest control operators, thereby constituting the empirical literature for future research in the subject area.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study covers on pesticide usage and occupational hazards among pest control operators

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

PESTICIDE: Pesticides are substances that are used to control pests. They include herbicides, insecticides, nematicides, fungicides, and many others. The most common of these are herbicides, which account for approximately 50% of all pesticide use globally

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS: Occupational hazards are risks associated with working in specific occupations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) describes five categories of occupational hazards: physical safety hazards, chemical hazards, biological hazards, physical hazards, and ergonomic risk factors.