Pesticide Toxicity and Human Health: A Comprehensive Review of Risks and Impacts
Chandan Kumar Panigrahi
*
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar-751029, Odisha, India.
Satya Narayan Satapathy *
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar-751029, Odisha, India.
Rupali Shrivasini Parida
Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar-751029, Odisha, India.
Prittam Das
Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar-751029, Odisha, India.
Priyanka Bhowmik
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar-751029, Odisha, India.
Divyanivedita Pradhan
Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar-751029, Odisha, India.
Manasi Maniska
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar-751029, Odisha, India.
Anwesha Jena
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar-751029, Odisha, India.
Anuva Nanda
Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar-751029, Odisha, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Pesticidal demand in the present era have been increased in order to enhance crop productivity and to eliminate further economic losses. Any Substance capable of managing, preventing, repelling and even controlling pest population and preventing from causing damage is referred as a Pesticides. In last few years it has been seen that pesticidal toxicity are leading to severe health consequences. Parental exposure and early age or adolescence exposure can be linked with several human diseases. At cellular level, pesticides can cause several epigenetic and genetic changes with serious direct or indirect threats. Exposure to pesticides through direct or indirect means can result in chronic or acute toxicity. They also cause several neurogenic, carcinogenic as well as reproductive illness in man. In order to mitigate these problems, it is advised to make the end users aware of the consequences and educate them regarding different symbols related to the pesticides and its toxicity. The demand for pesticides has surged in recent decades to enhance agricultural productivity and prevent economic losses due to pest infestations. Pesticides—substances used to manage, prevent, and control pests—have, however, been increasingly associated with adverse human health effects. Exposure to pesticide residues, whether occupational or environmental, can result in both acute and chronic toxicity. Acute effects include nausea, dizziness, and respiratory irritation, while chronic exposure has been linked to reproductive disorders, neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, and various forms of cancer. Vulnerable populations such as agricultural workers, children, and pregnant women are particularly at risk. At the cellular level, pesticides may induce genetic and epigenetic changes that can have long-lasting health consequences. This review emphasizes the urgent need for public awareness, proper labeling, and education on safe pesticide usage and handling to mitigate health risks associated with pesticide toxicity.
Keywords: Pesticides, human health, toxicity, acute exposure, chronic illness, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity