Pesticide Misuse in Bangladesh

Representatives of Dutch farming and environmental organisations recently visited Bangladesh on an educational project organised by NOVIB, the Netherlands Organisation for International Development Cooperation.  
      They found that many pesticides have been used in Bangladesh which are banned or restricted under international regulation or agreements, and witnessed the widespread misuse of pesticides.

      They met a local tradesman drying fish in the sun. In order to ward off swarming insects he had sprinkled the fish with DDT, which is banned in Bangladesh. It is also fat soluble and DDT may present health problems to consumers. The use of 2,4,5-T, restricted in many countries and thought to be no longer available, was found to be widely used in tea plantations.

      Farmers regularly bought pesticides in very small quantities, packaged in an ad hoc fashion without labelling. They often work without masks or gloves and use incorrect pesticides for the required task. Mixtures are stirred with bare hands and packaging is re-used for carrying drinking water.

      Concerned that some inappropriate chemicals may be coming from the Netherlands, Zuidhollandse Milieufederatie (the Environmental Foundation) have begun an inquiry to shed some light on the issue.

NOVIB, 9 September 1993.

[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 22, December 1993, page 18]