4. Discussion
The 20 pesticides encountered in this study include at
least six RUPs (according to EPA classification) and
contain 18 different active ingredients, nine of which are
‘highly hazardous’ or ‘moderately hazardous’ (according
to WHO classification). Yet all pesticides are freely
available in stores or markets and applied by smallholder
farmers, particularly those with a higher income and
good (road) access to local and regional markets. Farmers
apply pesticides without adequate personal protection
and in an unsafe manner, moreover, even if they have
sufficient income to take protective measures, being a
matter of lower priority compared to expenses for child
education for example. In addition, poor labourers also
are hired for pesticide application without providing
them with the necessary protective clothing. Shirt and
trousers, for example, are frequently worn for extensive
periods of time after being contaminated that seems
almost inconceivable as most farmers are aware of the
negative effects of pesticides on their health. One reason
for not wearing protective clothing, even if it were
available, is that the tropical climate makes the wearing
of full protective gear impractical because of the
potential for body heat stress, as reported by Ohayo-
Mitoko (1997). Farmers are generally less aware of the
potentially adverse impacts of pesticide deposition on the
4. Discussion
The 20 pesticides encountered in this study include at
least six RUPs (according to EPA classification) and
contain 18 different active ingredients, nine of which are
‘highly hazardous’ or ‘moderately hazardous’ (according
to WHO classification). Yet all pesticides are freely
available in stores or markets and applied by smallholder
farmers, particularly those with a higher income and
good (road) access to local and regional markets. Farmers
apply pesticides without adequate personal protection
and in an unsafe manner, moreover, even if they have
sufficient income to take protective measures, being a
matter of lower priority compared to expenses for child
education for example. In addition, poor labourers also
are hired for pesticide application without providing
them with the necessary protective clothing. Shirt and
trousers, for example, are frequently worn for extensive
periods of time after being contaminated that seems
almost inconceivable as most farmers are aware of the
negative effects of pesticides on their health. One reason
for not wearing protective clothing, even if it were
available, is that the tropical climate makes the wearing
of full protective gear impractical because of the
potential for body heat stress, as reported by Ohayo-
Mitoko (1997). Farmers are generally less aware of the
potentially adverse impacts of pesticide deposition on the
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