Study: About half of the world's farmers suffer from pesticide poisoning annually
Every year, up to 433 million cases of acute pesticide poisoning occur among agricultural workers worldwide. Researchers highlight the potential link between pesticide exposure and the development of Parkinson's disease.
Almost half of the world's farmers are poisoned by pesticides every year, according to a new study published on Wednesday. The research indicates that between 402 and 433 million cases of acute, unintentional poisoning occur annually among farmers and agricultural workers globally, resulting in approximately 11,000 deaths.
The study, conducted by scientists at the Pesticide Action Network, analyzed data collected worldwide between 2006 and 2023. Researchers estimate that out of approximately 934 million farmers and agricultural workers, about 46% experience at least one poisoning incident annually due to pesticide exposure.
These findings come at a time when global pesticide use is on an upward trend. In 2023, approximately 3.8 million tons of pesticides were used—double the amount recorded in 1990. The researchers are calling on nations to reduce exposure to hazardous substances and to implement UN recommendations to phase out pesticides classified as highly hazardous.
The impact is not distributed equally. Most poisoning cases occur in Asia and Africa, with some countries seeing the vast majority of their agricultural workforce affected. In Burkina Faso, for example, nearly 84% of farmers and agricultural workers suffer from poisoning. In India, the situation is particularly alarming, as the country accounts for nearly 60% of the 11,000 annual deaths recorded worldwide.
"The study reveals a crisis that cannot be ignored," said Gopakumar Chilton, CEO of the Pesticide Action Network.
Researchers note that even these figures may not reflect the full extent of the problem, as the study focused solely on acute poisonings—health impairments appearing shortly after exposure. The research does not account for diseases or long-term damage that may develop following years of chronic exposure.
One major concern is the link to Parkinson's disease. Helen Nickora, CEO of the European Parkinson's Disease Association, stated that evidence is mounting regarding the connection between pesticide exposure and the disease's development. In France, Germany, and Italy, Parkinson's is already recognized as an occupational disease for farmers exposed to these substances.
The authors highlighted the difficulty of tracking data, noting that many countries lack organized reporting systems. While this study is considered the most comprehensive to date, researchers warn that the actual number of victims may be higher. Nevertheless, they remain optimistic about future interventions.
"Now that the scale of the suffering has been revealed, we can help farmers gain access to safer alternatives to protect their health and the health of their families," said Dr. Sheila Willis, one of the study's authors.
