Pesticide poisoning affects 46% of global agricultural workers

A study published in the journal ‘Frontiers in Public Health’ reveals that between 402 and 433 million acute pesticide poisonings occur annually among farmers and agricultural workers. This figure represents approximately 46% of the global agricultural workforce, which is estimated at 934 million people.

Despite international efforts to reduce chemical usage, global pesticide consumption has doubled since 1990, reaching 3.8 million tons in 2023. The report, commissioned by Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Germany, notes that the chemical industry often obstructs reduction efforts.

Geographically, the most affected areas include South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Africa. Burkina Faso reports the highest national rate, with nearly 84% of its farmers suffering annual poisoning. Europe is noted as the only major region to have seen a decrease in pesticide consumption since 1990, a trend attributed to stricter regulations.