Pesticides in developing countries and their impact on health

Summary

This narrative review, published in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research, examines pesticide use patterns across developing nations and synthesises evidence on their consequences for human health. It likely addresses gaps in regulatory capacity, occupational exposure among smallholder farmers, and the disproportionate burden borne by low- and middle-income populations. The paper contributes to a growing body of literature calling for stronger governance frameworks and safer agricultural practices in resource-limited settings.

UK applicability

The findings are primarily relevant to low- and middle-income country contexts where regulatory oversight is weaker and occupational exposures are higher; however, the review may inform UK import safety standards, international development policy, and comparative risk assessments relevant to UK regulatory bodies such as the HSE and CRD.

Key measures

Pesticide exposure levels; incidence of acute poisoning; chronic disease associations (e.g. cancer, neurological disorders, reproductive harm); regulatory and occupational health indicators

Outcomes reported

The paper likely examines the scale and nature of pesticide exposure in developing-country agricultural contexts and reviews evidence linking such exposure to acute and chronic health outcomes in farming communities and the general population.

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