Abstract
The use of pesticides in agriculture has raised concerns due to their potential impact on human, animal and ecosystem health. Within a collaborative research framework, a study was co-constructed between researchers and local stakeholders in rural communities of Nan province (Thailand) to assess pesticide exposure levels. A total of 1,023 human serum samples were collected from volunteer participants. The level of exposure to organophosphate compounds showed that 12 (1.1%) and 134 (13%) individuals had hazardous or risky conditions, respectively. Generalized linear modeling revealed that age (older participants), chemical usage (spraying pesticide), habitat landscape characteristics (i.e., villages surrounded by orchard, forest, teak, rubber and rain-fed rice) and soil erosion appeared significant factors to explain the level of exposure. In addition, domestic animals (dogs and cattle) and wildlife (rodents and fishes) living in the vicinity were also assessed for their level of exposure. Applying the One Health principle helps understand pesticide exposure in people, domestic animals and wildlife by linking environmental characteristics at the local scale and thereby developing appropriate policies and regulations to be implemented.
Acknowledgments
We thank Nan Provincial Public Health Office, Tha Wang Pha District Public Health Office, Tha Wang Pha Hospital and Saen Thong Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital for supporting and facilitating research in the field. Specials thanks to the community leaders and the villagers for their involvement in this study. We thank Ada Roy, France internship student who participating regarding preliminary interview with villagers and participatory mapping activity.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).