In the Philippines, a recent report showed 1,303 poisoning cases from January 1992 to March 1993 in the National Capital Region; and a study in Central Luzon showed a 27% increase in mortality: this means nearly 900 farmers dying every year in one province. An FAO regional director has suggested that farmers use 10 times more pesticides than necessary. Sales grew by 70% between 1988 and 1992, and in 1993 will reach about US$120 million. A 1990 study by the Bureau of Plant Industry showed that pesticide residues in samples from locally sold vegetables and fruits such as string beans, eggplants, tomatoes and mangoes exceeded the maximum allowable levels set by the WHO.
World Health, September-October, 1993.
[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 23, March 1994, page 10]