Health

Villagers have dust allergies and respiratory problems.

Villagers are experiencing frequent headaches.

Three villagers have died in the past two years from cancer. The cause is unknown.

Umoong:

paralysis and death. At very high levels, chemical exposure can cause respiratory

Chemicals used for agriculture are highly toxic and may depress the nervous system upon exposure.

There are a number of health effects that result from chemical usage.

Safe Chemical Use

✗ Don’t Smoke

✔Wear Long Pants and Sleeves

✔Pants outside of Boots

✗ Rips

✔ Wear Gloves

✔ Wear a Hat

It is the responsibility of industry and government to establish a system of collection for used containers

Puncture containers so they cannot be reused Read labels for specific disposal instructions Do not store anything in containers Do not burn containers Do not rinse with natural water source

Rinse containers immediately 3 times. Add rinse water to spray tank as part of make-up solution

Disposal of chemical containers:

Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Seek medical attentionEyes: Rinse with plenty of water for several minutes

Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and wash skin with water and soap

Inhalation: Breathe fresh air and restWhat to do for chemical contamination:

Cover all open wounds and soars Always wash after using chemicals Wash clothing in contact with chemicals separately

You can avoid these health and environmental issues by avoiding chemicals all together! Ask if fruits, vegetables and rice that you purchase have been grown without chemicals, also look to others for examples of how to farm organically.

Chemical FactsBrand Name Active Ingredient WHO

Classification*Round up Glyphosate Slightly

HazardousFurudan Carbofuran Highly

HazardousBidrin Dicrotophos Highly

HazardousEPN EPN Extremely

HazardousLannate Methomyl Highly

HazardousNominee Bispyribac Slightly

HazardousPolydoll Parathion Extremely

HazardousDDT Dichlorodiphenyl-

trichloroethaneModerately Hazardous

Red Dog, Pyratan

2, 4-D Sodium Salt Moderately Hazardous

*WHO ClassificationThis classification is an international scale recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to indicate the range of toxicity experienced when people come into contact with chemicals. The scale includes different warning messages and colors for each level:Extremely Dangerous ”Danger – Poison”Highly Dangerous “Danger – Poison”Moderately Dangerous “Warning”Slightly Dangerous “Caution”

Key:

Title:

Chemical Agriculture can degrade the environment: Chemical fertilizers and pesticides have harmful

effects on wildlife, which are a natural food resource In Umoong, villagers have struggled finding tao,

frogs, crabs and fish in the rice fields. Pesticides can also contaminate surface water and

groundwater in this areaOrganic Agriculture promotes a healthy ecosystem: Improves soil quality over time by restoring the

nutrient cycle and allowing the growth of fauna Can combat groundwater pollution through soil

filtration and greater biodiversity Creates suitable environments for biodiversity to

thrive and establishes the natural food chain Encourages ecological vitality which allows for

humans and the natural world to coexist for the indefinite future

Creates a sustainable agricultural system

Environment

Economics

KnowWhatYou

GrowThe health and environmental effects of chemical agriculture

Additional Resources:

AAN: http://aanesan.wordpress.com/

Chemical agriculture requires high input costs at the beginning of each growing season, often resulting in debt

65% of farmers in Isaan are in debt Over one-third of villagers surveyed in Umoong claim

their current agricultural incomes are insufficient Once produce is sold, loans still need to be payed

back, regardless of crop yields This cycle prevents farmers from escaping debt and

causes them to rely on chemical companies every year

Companies typically sell both the seeds and corresponding chemicals, encouraging farmers to use more and more chemicals, regardless of need

Industry

Heavy industry in close proximity to agricultural land can pollute water sources and degrade soil

Industrial practices that involve resource extraction introduce contaminants into the surrounding environment

Resource extraction are also dependent on water resources typically used for agriculture

In Umoong village 80% of villagers surveyed by CIEE cited drought as a threat to their crops

“Chemicals have health and environmental impacts for Umoong villagers. Chemicals are

expensive to use but are still the main component of our agricultural practices. If we

can reduce the use of chemicals our lives will be happy and we will have more money to save.”

- Meh Duangta