Cancer-Causing Pesticides Pose a Growing Health Concern in Kenya

By Modupe Adeniyi. Freelance Health Reporter.

Map of Africa showing the location of Kenya

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 07, 2024. In a startling revelation, recent studies have uncovered the presence of cancer-causing chemicals in pesticides widely used across Kenya's agricultural sector. This discovery raises significant concerns about public health and the safety of agricultural practices in the country.

Nine active ingredients in pesticides registered for use in Kenya have been linked to at least six types of cancer. Moreover, 34% of pesticides registered by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) in Kenya are banned or heavily restricted in Europe. Alarmingly, only one in six farmers wear full protective gear when applying these potentially harmful substances.

A US-based population-wide study published in the Frontiers in Cancer Control and Society has identified nine active ingredients in pesticides that are linked to various types of cancer, including leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, bladder, colon, lung, and pancreatic cancers. These ingredients are present in pesticides used on common crops such as maize, onions, tomatoes, and tea.

Exposure to these active ingredients can deplete the body's antioxidants - vitamins and elements that remove potentially damaging agents from the body. This, in turn, can damage one's DNA and disrupt the processes through which a cell interacts with itself, other cells and the environment.

Mixtures of pesticides, as they are typically applied to crops, significantly increase the cancer risk. This risk extends beyond agricultural regions, affecting communities through air and water contamination from nearby farms.

Glyphosate, a commonly used herbicide in Kenya, has been linked to an increased risk of lymphoma, colon, and pancreatic cancers. Other chemicals like Atrazine, Boscalid, and Dimethomorph have also been associated with various cancer types.

The report by Route to Food and Heinrich Boll Foundation revealed alarming statistics: "Out of the 310 pesticide products used, 195 products (63 per cent) contained one or two active ingredients that are categorised as highly hazardous chemicals, accounting for 76 per cent of the total volume of pesticides used."

Even more concerning is that nearly half of the pesticides used in Kenya are banned in Europe due to their unacceptable risk to human health and the environment.

In 2020, Kenyan farmers spent a staggering Sh9.4 trillion on pesticide products. The market is dominated by international companies, with Syngenta leading at 20% market share, followed by Bayer AG at 15%.

"Syngenta, headquartered in Switzerland, sells 40 products with the highest volume of pesticides in Kenya (544 tonnes), of which 68% are highly hazardous pesticides."

These findings underscore the urgent need for stricter regulation and monitoring of pesticide use in Kenya. Farmers need to be educated on the risks associated with these chemicals and the importance of using protective gear. Additionally, there's a pressing need to explore safer, more sustainable agricultural practices that can reduce reliance on hazardous pesticides.

As consumers and citizens, we must advocate for better policies and regulations to protect our health and environment. The long-term costs of continued use of these hazardous chemicals far outweigh any short-term agricultural benefits.

Source: Nation Kenya News 

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Published: August 7, 2024

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