Impact of pesticides on the health of pregnant women, infants and the fetus

Listeners, welcome to today’s program. It’s obvious that the use of pesticides is part of our daily lives. But few people are aware of the harm caused by their misuse, especially to pregnant women. The time has come to inform the public about the impact of pesticides on the health of pregnant women, infants, and the fetus.

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In this program, we’ll talk to three speakers. Mr. Bapio Yidampen Benjamin Bassolet is an expert on quality, hygiene, health, safety, and environment, and also a consultant on gender and development. Mr. Manoé René Sanou is an agent in the Pesticide Unit of the Directorate of Plant Protection and Packaging of the Ministry of Agriculture. And Dr. Sylvain Ilboudo is a toxicologist and research fellow in toxicology at the Institute for Research in Health Science. They will help us to better understand the risks that pregnant women face when using pesticides.

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Gentlemen, welcome to our studios.

Let’s start with Mr. Sanou. Tell us, how do you define a pesticide?

Pesticides are substances or combinations of substances used to repel, destroy, or control plant pests.

Their targets include organisms that spread human and animal disease, and undesirable species of plants or animals that cause damage or are otherwise harmful. They are found in all forms: liquid, gaseous, solid, and powder.

Dr. Ilboudo, what are the different kinds of pesticides?

Pesticides are classified according to several criteria. And the number of categories varies depending on the standards used for this classification.

Thus, we have: insecticides to fight against insects such as mosquitoes, locusts, termites, and cockroaches. Herbicides to eliminate weeds. Rodenticides to control rodents like rats and mice. And fungicides to control plant pathogens such as fungi.

It is also possible to divide pesticides according to the chemical class to which they belong. Other criteria relate to the dangerousness of the products.

Thank you, Dr. Ilboudo. We are still with you. Solid, liquid, or gas—in which state are pesticides more dangerous?

You need to know that the intrinsic toxicity of a pesticide is its capacity to cause damage to a living organism. This intrinsic toxicity depends on the nature and the arrangement of the chemical groups present in the pesticide molecule.

Certain characteristics, including particle size, volatility, and water solubility can influence how toxic a pesticide is in practice. The most dangerous form differs depending on how people are exposed to it and for how long. For example, if people are most frequently exposed to a particular pesticide through breathing, then the gaseous form of the pesticide will be more dangerous than its liquid or solid form.

Mr. Sanou, what are the different ways through which pesticides enter the human body?

First, through the skin, especially while preparing the spray with bare hands. Pesticides can enter the human body both during the treatment of crops without personal protective equipment, and when the wind carries droplets of a sprayed pesticide. It is also possible to be exposed via the nose through inhalation of spray dust. The mouth is also a route of exposure. Eating food that contains pesticide residues, and drinking or smoking during or after spraying pesticides without washing hands can be a route of exposure. Finally, exposure can be through the eyes, by rubbing them with contaminated hands, or through splashing liquid pesticides.

Dr. Ilboudo, are the symptoms of the effects of pesticides delayed or immediate?

They can be immediate or delayed. If they are immediate, it is called acute intoxication and they generally appear immediately or shortly after exposure, within a few minutes, hours, or days. The signs or symptoms most frequently reported during acute pesticide poisoning include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite, skin or eye irritation, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nervousness, excessive sweating, attention deficits, vision problems, breathing difficulties, convulsions, and finally coma.

When the effects are delayed, we speak of chronic or late intoxication. Chronic intoxication normally occurs following repeated exposure over several days, months, or even years. Thus, small doses of pesticides can accumulate in the body. It is often difficult to distinguish the signs or symptoms of chronic poisoning because it can take a long time for them to appear.

Dr. Ilboudo, what are the most common illnesses among pesticide users?

Exposure to pesticides can cause many types of disease. Scientists have found links between pesticide exposure and cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancers of the breast, prostate, and brain. There are also diseases related to reproduction, immune diseases, and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.

Mr. Bassolet, how can we minimize domestic exposure to pesticides?

Protection and prevention are the most effective strategies. Protect food and water. Always protect yourself before spraying the house. Know the direction of the wind to avoid overspray landing on the skin. And ventilate indoor spaces after applying insecticides. For example, spiral-shaped mosquito repellents used in homes often lack instructions for safe use. Care should be taken when using these products. Even if the label doesn’t say so, it’s best to ventilate the house when using them.

Dr. Ilboudo, why do you say that pregnant women and infants are more vulnerable to the effects of pesticides?

Indeed, the pregnant woman, because of her physiological state, is more vulnerable. Pregnancy is accompanied by several changes in the mother’s body, including hormonal and regulatory changes, and this period in her life makes her and her fetus more vulnerable.

One of the main behaviors that makes infants more susceptible to pesticide poisoning is their tendency to crawl on the ground and put contaminated objects in their mouths.

In addition, an infant’s organs are still developing and are therefore more vulnerable than those of an adult. This means that their bodies have a harder time dealing with pesticides than an adult’s would.

Dr. Ilboudo, what risks does a nursing mother face when exposed to pesticides?

First of all, the nursing mother is exposed to local effects such as itchy skin and eye irritation. Secondly, pesticide molecules can be found in the mother’s blood and milk. The infant will thus be exposed. Because of their chemical properties, some pesticides are found in greater quantities in the milk than in the blood. And as mentioned earlier, the infant is very vulnerable to exposure to pesticides.

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In your opinion, Mr. Bassolet, what behaviors increase the risks of exposure to pesticides?

Using pesticides without appropriate protective equipment such as masks represents a risk of direct exposure. Improper storage or dumping of pesticides in homes, and pesticides that are exposed to the sun, wind, or water are a source of danger for people and the environment.

Mr. Bassolet, are pesticides partly responsible for the occurrence of birth defects in newborns?

Yes, as an example of pesticides that are responsible for malformations, Agent Orange is the most well-known case. It is a herbicide that the Americans used during the Vietnam war. Depending on the danger they represent for humans, some pesticides are classified as carcinogenic. For example, exposure to pesticides such as DDT and others can lead to breast cancer in women. Other pesticides can result in gene mutations, growth retardation, fetal death, or premature birth. And finally, other pesticides disturb the regulation of the body temperature, especially in the reproductive functions. Another consequence is malformations in newborns, including effects on the nervous system related to the child’s cognitive or behavioral development, or psychomotor skills.

Mr. Bassolet, can you tell us whether or not any pesticides have been withdrawn from the market because of their danger?

At the international level, pesticides such as DDT or the herbicide product called Agent Orange have been withdrawn from the market. At the regional level, within the Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel, paraquat and atrazine are two pesticides that have been banned in agriculture in all the member States of this organization.

Mr. Bassolet, is there a national study in Burkina Faso that evaluates the impact of pesticides on human health, particularly that of pregnant women?

Studies have been carried out on the impact of pesticides on human health in Burkina Faso. There was a study on poisoning from agricultural pesticides in Burkina-Faso in 2010. The study found that almost half of a sample of 650 producers had experienced some level of pesticide poisoning. In a survey carried out in three regions (Boucle du Mouhoun, Hauts-Bassins and Cascades), it was noted that, out of 81 documented cases of poisoning, 19.75% concerned children.

: Dr. Sylvain Ilboudo, how can we know that a pesticide is dangerous?

An authorized pesticide includes information on its toxicity. By carefully reading pesticide labels before use, everyone has access to this information. But this is only true for registered or licensed pesticides. Some unregistered pesticides do not have appropriate labels. Information about the toxicity of these pesticides may not be available.

Dr. Sylvain Ilboudo, are there any pesticides on the market that are labeled in languages that many farmers do not understand?

In principle, registered pesticides must have labels in the language of the country they’re used. In Burkina Faso, the language of the label should be French. But it’s true that even when written in French, the information remains inaccessible to the majority of users who are illiterate. Studies show that more than 80 to 90% of pesticide users are not educated or do not have a level of education that allows them to read pesticide labels. In addition, there are labels written in foreign languages that are effectively unusable.

Mr. Bassolet, how are pesticide regulations designed to protect human health, and in particular the health of mothers, infants, and the fetus?

In Burkina Faso, there are means of controlling and protecting the quality of plant production intended for human consumption. These include Law number 025-2017/AN of May 15, 2017 on plant protection in Burkina Faso. There is also Law number 026-2017/AN of May 15, 2017 on the control of pesticides management in Burkina-Faso.

Mr. Bassolet, is the uncontrolled use of pesticides punished in Burkina Faso?

Yes, any person or legal entity responsible for the misuse of pesticides, false declarations on the origin, quality or quantity of pesticides, or the transport of pesticides in vehicles used to transport people or animals can receive a prison sentence of at least six months and up to five years. as well as a fine ranging from two hundred thousand to five million FCFA (US $337 to $8,423).

Mr. Bassolet, does the law offer special protection to vulnerable populations such as pregnant mothers and infants?

Unfortunately not. There are no special provisions for these types of people.

Dr. Sylvain Ilboudo, isn’t the existence of fake pesticides a risk for users, especially women and infants?

Unregistered pesticides are produced and marketed without being evaluated for safety and effectiveness. The evaluation process includes conditions to avoid or reduce risks, including the risk to reproductive health. This may be related to the effect of the pesticide on the mother or the effect of the pesticide on the survival or development of the fetus. When the pesticide is marketed without prior evaluation, these risks are not taken into account and all populations are at risk.

Mr. Bassolet, can the use of pesticides be effectively stopped?

Yes and no. Yes, because of the dangers that using pesticides presents, it is important to stop using them in favour of organic production. Hence the concept of organic farming. But the ever-increasing need for food means that we must increase agricultural yields. In short, we must move towards organic production, while gradually improving our production systems, which involve rigorous control of pesticide use.

Mr. Sanou, are pesticides an asset for agriculture?

Plant breeding practices have led to many of the improved varieties we use today being unable to resist to insect attack or disease. Instead, for these varieties to reach their full potential, they require pesticides and fertilizers. This makes it more difficult for our country to achieve food self-sufficiency.

Pesticides help to increase yields, limit production problems, and protect food stores, among other things. They also help preserve product quality, fight organisms that spread disease, compensate for lack of manpower, and reduce the labour-intensiveness of farming activities.

Mr. Sanou, what precautions should pregnant women take when pesticides are being applied?

Women, especially pregnant women, are strongly cautioned against and, in some cases, prohibited from spraying pesticides. These products can cause the death of the unborn child if the mother is poisoned. The pesticide molecules can penetrate through her skin and reach her blood and then that of the baby, since the baby is connected with its mother via the placenta.

Thus, it is recommended that, in case of need, women contact the phytosanitary brigades in the communes. These are agents of the Ministry of Agriculture and trained producers who are in charge of fighting against the fraudulent use of pesticides, helping to fight against pest attacks, and providing guidance to producers on the best practices for using pesticides. In Burkina Faso, they are scattered throughout the villages of the communes and offer their services at 1000 f CFA or 1.72 US dollars per hectare. These costs must be paid by the producer.

Dr. Ilboudo, in the event of strong exposure to a pesticide, what should someone do?

You should go to a health centre with the pesticide label. If you don’t have the label, bring any document that gives the health staff information on how to effectively help. The victim should be removed from any source of further exposure to the pesticide. This may require removing the victim’s clothing and shoes. If unconscious, clear the victim’s airway and avoid inducing vomiting.

We have come to the end of our program on the impact of pesticides on the health of pregnant women, infants, and the fetus.

Despite the need for pesticides in fields and homes, their misuse can have far-reaching negative consequences for pregnant woman, infants, and the fetus. These include birth defects and low birth weight in newborns, and miscarriages, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer in pregnant women. It is therefore recommended to be very cautious when using pesticides, to take all possible protective measures and, above all, to discourage pregnant women from spraying pesticides.

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