7161ENV - Research Design & Planning: Punjab Pesticide Impact Review

This report is a literature review investigating the effects of chemicals and pesticides on agricultural land in Punjab, India. It explores the extensive use of pesticides, linking it to health issues, particularly in the Malwa region, and discussing the contamination of the water table and soil. The review covers the banning of certain pesticides, existing studies on pesticide application, and the economic factors influencing pesticide use. It also examines the types of chemicals impacting agriculture, their effects on human health and ecosystems, and the need for responsible chemical management. The report highlights both the benefits and risks associated with pesticide use, emphasizing the need for awareness campaigns and regulation to mitigate the adverse impacts on the environment and human health.

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ASSESSMENT
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Course Code:7161ENV
Course Name:Research Design and Planning
Due Date:23/08/2019Assessment Item # :1
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Student Number: s5136698
Student Name: Pooja Ahuja

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Literature Review on the effects of Chemicals or Pesticides on Agricultural land in
Punjab , India
S5136698
Pooja Ahuja
Table of Contents
A Literature Review on the effects of chemicals or pesticides on agricultural land in Punjab, India...........6
INTRODUCTION:..........................................................................................................................................6
DISCUSSION:................................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................11
References.................................................................................................................................................11

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A Literature Review on the effects of chemicals or pesticides on agricultural land in
Punjab, India
INTRODUCTION:
The Farming is the largest company in Punjab with about 82.5% of land in the state practiced for
agriculture. Whereas this region greatly mechanized the farming quite early, the cost of agrarian
input for the farmers is increasing radically. Due to lack of competency for exploiting irrigation
services and increasing yields, farmers tied towards vicious debt cycle (Shiva, 2016).
Malwa region of Punjab of which Sangrur is a region has high incidence of fighting cancer. The
disease has expanded predominantly into the Malwa region of Punjab, supposedly because of
consistent practice of pesticides as well as other chemicals within agriculture (Kaur, et. al.,
2017). These toxic materials have got mixed with water table of the region as well as, use of that
water for agriculture practices and drinking has spread the chemicals within bodies of residents
as well as, causing severe ailments (Yadav, et al. 2015). This literature review would cover the
effects of chemicals or pesticides on agricultural land in Punjab, India.
DISCUSSION:
Effects of chemicals or pesticides on agricultural land in Punjab, India
Some pesticides have been banned in Punjab such as Methomyl, Triazophos, Phosphamidion,
Phorate, as well as, Monocrotophos that could be considered in class I pesticides through World
Health Organization, and are further classified into ‘extremely hazardous ‘and ‘highly
hazardous’ to human health (Kaur, et. al., 2017).
Existing studies on application of pesticides
There are different investigations that now linking cancer in Punjab to the application of
pesticides. Punjab is one of the greater users of pesticides in India (Bedi, et. al., 2015). In

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evidence, on per basis of an acre, it is one of the leading users of pesticides. An investigation by
Khan and Damalas (2015) indicates that cancer is unusually high incidence particularly in the
cotton-growing region of south-western Punjab. It is linked to the application of pesticides
through cotton farmers between other factors. As a result, people within the Malwa region are
facing challenges due to not focusing on warning (Khan & Damalas, 2015).
In addition to this, indiscriminate pesticide usage integrated into the absence of regulations that
are limiting its practices as it has adverse effects. The measure can be taken for making
pesticide-free to the village. An awareness campaign is required for educating the farmers about
the deleterious effects with respect to usage of excessive pesticide. Environment saving
companies can formulate the significant practice for application as well as, use of pesticides
(Bedi, et. al., 2015).
In contrast to this, it is addressed that the continued over application of pesticides, fertilizers as
well as, insecticides are not isolated to Malwa region but is a practice visibly in across other
areas of Punjab. The economic reality about local residents has dictated their observation for
decades. The local residents emphasize on productivity rather than health. They do not consider
the local government practices regarding safe usage application and resultant overuse of
pesticides along with, ignoring the potential health implication (Kumar, et. al., 2018).
The investigation has demonstrated that soil in this belt is high within phosphates, Persistent
Organic Pollutants (POPs), uranium as well as, nitrates. It regularly makes a way to produce in
an agricultural manner. The primary advantageous is consequences about pesticides effects such
as direct gains are expected from their application. For illustration, the impact of killing
caterpillars feeding on crop provides primary advantageous of higher yields as well as, the

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superior quality of cabbage. There is some effects outcome in primary advantageous that are
ranging through the protection of recreational turf to the saved human lives (Rao, et. al., 2016).
Another benefit is less instant or less obvious advantages that result through primary
advantageous. They could be subtle, less instinctively as well as, longer-term. It considers that
for secondary advantageous, it is more complex for developing cause and effect however they
could be strong justifications for the application of pesticides (Datta, et. al., 2018). For
illustration, cabbage yield may provide additional revenues that can be put with respect to
medical care or education of children, better-educated population as well as, leading to better
health. There are some identified secondary benefits and it ranges through fitter people to
conserve biodiversity (Rahman, 2015).
Types of chemicals that impacts on agriculture
It is identified that there are some chemicals that pose little risk to environmental circumstances
and human health, whereas others like known carcinogens, pose severe risks while sufficient
exposure happens. The impacts of chemicals on human health as well as, other ecological
receptors via environmental exposure could be very toxic and acute, subtle as well as, cumulative
over the time, and nonexistent (Kumar & Sandhu, 2017). Along with this, chemicals could be a
concern due to their pervasiveness, the potential for accumulating, chances of communication as
well as, long-term unknown impact on people as well as, environment such as cancer with
mercury within fish. It is addressed that wildlife and humans could be impacted through some
chemicals via direct exposure such as accumulation, accidental inhalation, as well as, uptake by
the food chain and skin contact (Rodríguez, et. al., 2017).
It is illustrated that ecosystems as well as, environmental procedures could be contaminated and
compromised via accumulation and migration of chemicals such as migration to water supplies,

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Fugitive dust as well as, volatilization, and via uptake through plants. For illustration, the
excessive nutrient is loading through over-fertilization could result within runoff that may cause
an adverse impact on the aquatic ecosystem (Saini, Singh, & Bajwa, 2016).
It is stated that extensive exposure to and misuse of pesticides could harm non-targeted animals,
plants and individuals hence there is need for development in pesticides-resistant species of pest.
It is complex for creating generalization regarding the impact of chemical usage as well as,
chemicals not only there are different chemicals, but also individuals chemicals have unique
modes of being absorbed as well as, handled through living organisms (Kumar, & Sandhu,
2017).
It is illustrated that risk related to chemicals relied on different factors such as toxicity and
exposures that could be chronic and acute as well as, could occur at different phases of chemical
life cycles. There are different phases in the life cycle of chemicals like transport, application,
use, accumulation, runoff, manufacturing as well as, posing different hazards to the environment
and humans. Whereas chemicals in soil and on plants could be an initial pathway into the
atmosphere, it is concentration and movement of chemicals via food chain that is often of higher
concern together with exposures through other media like contaminated water and air (Datta, et.
al., 2018).
The indicator offers data on relatively small universe about toxic chemicals as well as, only
limited data on potential exposures. In addition to this, human experiences as a result of the
application of the chemical. For illustration, the pesticide residues within food indicators offer
data on one aspect of the potential for exposure of human from pesticides such as dietary intake
from the commercial food supply. However, does not offer a complete picture of all the ways

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where humans could be exposed to pesticides that entail contaminated drinking water, dermal
contact as well as, pesticide drift (Rahman, 2015).
Furthermore, pesticides are poisons as well as, unfortunately, it could harm more than pests at
which they are predetermined. They are toxic as well as, exposure for pesticides that could cause
a number of health impacts. They are associated with a range of severe illness as well as diseases
through respiratory issues to cancer. In addition, exposure to pesticides could create in different
manners (Kumar, et. al., 2018). Farmworkers as well as, farmers could be exposed to pesticides
within agriculture via the treatment of crops, grain stores as well as, plants. Along with this, rural
residents living the next door to farms could be demonstrated to pesticide drifts (Rao, et. al.,
2016).
In addition to this, exposure could occur within professional, forestry as well as, domestic pest
control via the treatment of wood with preservatives, treatment of boat hulls as well as, anti-
fouling agents as well as, treatment about livestock with anti-parasitic preparations such as sheep
dip (Kumar & Sandhu, 2017).
Within cities and towns, an individual is exposed to pesticides via spraying of amenities like
playgrounds, parks as well as, pavements. There are different people who purchase the pesticides
off the shelf for home as well as, application of garden. And ultimately, pesticides residue found
in and on as well as, food put at the risk (Bedi, et. al., 2015).
It is also addressed that pesticides could cause harmful impact over a lengthy time, generally
considering repeated or continuous exposure at the low extents. Low doses do not always cause
the immediate impact but over time, they could cause serious illness (Khan & Damalas, 2015).
It is addressed that long-term pesticide exposure is associated with the development of
Parkinson’s disease, depression, anxiety, asthma, hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cancers, such

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as, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as well as, leukaemia. It is identified that pesticides could be
intensely toxic. It indicates that they could cause lethal and harmful impact after a single episode
about skin contact, inhalation as well as, ingestion. The features are evident shortly after
exposure and could arise within the 48 hours (Kaur, et. al., 2017).
Conclusion
From the above interpretation, it can be concluded that chemicals or pesticides has negative
impact on agriculture. This literature only focuses on effects of chemicals or pesticides on effects
of chemical on agriculture. In potential research, it can emphasize on strategies for overcoming
the negative effects of chemical on agriculture because there are some studies that have
conducted on this aspect. It also only focuses on single state i.e. Punjab. In further research, it
can focus on more than one state.

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References
Bedi, J. S., Gill, J. P. S., Aulakh, R. S., & Kaur, P. (2015). Pesticide residues in bovine milk in
Punjab, India: spatial variation and risk assessment to human health. ARCHIVES OF
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY, 69(2), 230-240.
Datta, S., Singh, J., Singh, J., Singh, S., & Singh, S. (2018). Assessment of genotoxic effects of
pesticide and vermicompost treated soil with Allium cepa test. Sustainable Environment
Research, 28(4), 171-178.
Kaur, G., Kaur, R., Boparai, J. K., Sharma, V. K., & Sharma, P. K. (2017). Investigating the
heavy metals and pesticides concentration in agricultural soil and groundwater of Mansa
district of Punjab, India: Insights into its impact on human health. INT J INNOVATIVE
RES SCI ENG, 3, 179-87.
Khan, M., & Damalas, C. A. (2015). Factors preventing the adoption of alternatives to chemical
pest control among Pakistani cotton farmers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEST
MANAGEMENT, 61(1), 9-16.
Kumar, L., & Sandhu, H. (2017). Ecosystem Services and Agriculture in Punjab, India.
In Ecosystem Functions and Management (pp. 59-84). Springer, Cham.
Kumar, P., Thakur, S., Dhingra, G. K., Singh, A., Pal, M. K., Harshvardhan, K., ...&
Maheshwari, D. K. (2018). Inoculation of siderophore producing rhizobacteria and their
consortium for growth enhancement of wheat plant. Biocatalysis and agricultural
biotechnology, 15, 264-269.
Rahman, S. (2015). Green revolution in India: environmental degradation and impact on
livestock. Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, 12(1), 75-80.