By: Mariama Njie
The programme officer for Chemicals and pesticide at the National Environment Agency has disclosed that pesticides residues in food can cause cancer, reproductive issues, endocrine disruptors, hormonal problems and can affect a foetus in the mother’s womb.
Bai Bittaye was speaking with The Voice exclusively on Thursday at his office in Kanifing, that “in The Gambia pesticides are used mainly in the vegetable gardens and looking at the way it is being used it is risks and very explosive.”
He explained that Pesticide product has label giving information about how to use it, how long should it take after used to harvest those crops.
“But in The Gambia most people don’t follow those instructions especially in this Ramadan period where people consume a lot of vegetables. During this time many gardeners will just spray in the morning and harvest in the evening, the next day they are in the market for sales and later consume by people,” he said.
According to him the pre-harvest interval that when pesticides are apply on the crops, they should be allow for two weeks or more to allow the pesticide to integrate.
He noted that some pesticides have half-life of two days whiles some of them have weeks, months or even years to integrate.
“Half-life means the time it takes for half of that particular substance to disintegrate which means even if half is integrated there are still remains left and many don’t know the risk factors associated to this substance,” he said.
Pesticides are potentially toxic to humans and can have both acute and chronic health effects depending on the quantity and ways in which a person is exposed and are among the leading causes of death, “he said.
He explained how humans are exposing to pesticides, saying agricultural workers can get expose direct to their skin whilst preparing to spray or mixing it when not fully protected, and can get to the body through nasals or eyes.
For the residues, he added that there are maximum residue limits in the Gambia but it is difficult to test due to lack function laboratory.
Meanwhile he said the NEA is working on the laboratory that will be used to know whether there are residues of pesticides in foods, in the waters and environment.
He therefore advised gardeners to protect themselves fully with necessary equipment and allow the crops for weeks or month after spraying pesticides for the betterment and protection of all health.
