‘Excessive use of pesticides hazardous’

FAISALABAD: Using excessive pesticides on fruit and vegetable crops is a health and environmental hazard, which results in our economy losing billions of rupees, said University of Agriculture Vice-Chancellor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar.

He expressed these views as the chief guest at the annual function hosted by the department of entomology on Thursday. Department Chairman Muhammad Jalal Arif also spoke on the occasion. Chemical insecticides are being used as the predominant measure against pest control. But, the excessive use of pesticides has caused pollution while also becoming problematic for human health, he expressed.

After they are sprayed, pesticides and insecticides remain in fruits and vegetables as residue. More than 50% of pesticides that are marketed are hazardous, he explained. Ingesting water contaminated by these compounds can cause anything from a mild headache to a skin allergy to cancer.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2018.