The consequences of pesticide misinformation are far reaching. One study of Hmong agricultural workers in
highland communities and in urban Chaing Mai indicated that 20-69% of the adults surveyed exhibited risky or
unsafe levels of cholinesterase inhibition (an indicator of neurotoxicity) as evidence of exposure to organophosphate
and carbamate pesticides. The study also indicated the potential of increased risk among Hmong women who posses
less Thai language skill than men and therefore have reduced access to information concerning the hazards of
pesticide exposure or the use of protective clothing.xv For the years 1980 – 1994, an average of around 3,350
occupational pesticide poisoning cases were reported in Thailand;v however, many cases of pesticide poisoning are
never reported. For example, a 1985 study concluded that only 2.4% of Thai workers who have been poisoned by
pesticides go to the hospital.vi The study estimated that there could be up to 39,600 pesticide poisoning cases a year,
with total annual health costs of about 13 million Baht (about US $0.5 million).
Pesticide Use in Thailand
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Furthermore, the World Health Organization identifies pesticide ingestion as one of the leading suicide methods
worldwide.xvi An estimated three million cases of pesticide poisoning occur every year, resulting in an excess of
250,000 deaths, representing a substantial fraction of the 900,000 people who die by suicide every year. This
phenomenon is particularly significant in rural areas, especially in Asian countries. The WHO estimates that in the
last decade between 60% and 90% of suicides in China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka were due to pesticide ingestion. A 2005
study found that pesticide ingestion is the second leading method of suicide in northern Thailand, accounting for
about one-quarter of suicide cases in the most recent years.