Several reports have suggested that
exposure to agricultural pesticides (mainly chronic exposure to organophosphates
[OPs]) produces depression, a major risk factor for suicide. Research from Spain
has explored possible links between an intensive agricultural area with high
pesticide use, and high suicide rates. In these areas, the occurrence of mood
disorders (especially depression) related to long term exposure to certain
pesticides may play a significant role.
El Poniente is the eastern area of Almeria province in
southeastern Spain. It has the highest density of greenhouses in the world, and
estimates for 1993 exceed 25,000 ha, which is almost 80% of the national total.
High levels of pesticide use, particularly of OPs, characterise this greenhouse
area. The total of 251 suicides from three different areas of Almeria province
between 1976 and 1987 were analysed.
In these three neighbouring areas, pesticides were the cause
of death in 21.5% of suicides (although hanging was the most common method, used
in 56.1% of cases). However, pesticides were used in 40.7% of cases in El
Poniente, but for only 3.1% for Huercal-Overa and 8.1% for Vera, the other two
areas.
World Health Organisation suicide figures for 15 countries in
Europe, North America and Oceania from 1979 to 1984 indicated the overall rate
of suicide from pesticides was 0.53 per 100,000. In the El Poniente area, the
overall suicide rate was 15.25 per 100,000 population. Pesticides were used to
commit suicide in 40.7% of cases, making the suicide rate for pesticides 6.21
per 100,000. This is a statistically significant difference compared with the
rest of Spain.
The study acknowledges that the origins of suicide are
generally complex, but expresses concern that the easy accessibility of
pesticides and the lack of knowledge by farmers of their toxicity contributed to
impulsive suicidal gestures becoming fatal events. "If we bear in mind that
Huercal-Overa, the other agricultural area in Almeria province, has a higher
proportion of farmers than El Poniente but a lesser usage of pesticides due to
the type of crops grown we can reasonably suggest that a strong positive
association between suicide and exposure to pesticides is therefore
possible," the authors concluded.
Parron, T., Hernandez, A.F., &
Villanueva, E., Increased risk of suicide with exposure to pesticides in an
intensive agricultural area: A 12-year retrospective study, Forensic Science
International, 1996, 79:53-63.
[This
article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 33, September 1996,
page 7]