1.1 Introduction
A pesticide is a toxic chemical substance or a mixture of substances or biological agents that are intentionally released into the environment in order to avert, deter, control and/or kill and destroy populations of insects, weeds, rodents, fungi or other harmful pests. Pesticides are used to kill the pests and insects which attack on crops and harm them. Different kinds of pesticides have been used for crop protection for centuries. Pesticides work by attracting, seducing and then destroying or mitigating the pests. Pests can be broadly defined as the plants or animals that jeopardize our food, health and/or comfort. Pesticides are chemical compounds that are used to kill pests, including insects, rodents, fungi and unwanted plants (weeds). Pesticides are used in public health to kill vectors of disease, such as mosquitoes, and in agriculture, to kill pests that damage crops (Carson, 2002).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Nowadays, chemical pesticides and insecticides are becoming a dominant agent for eliminating pests, when these chemical pesticides are used in a combination of effective natural enemy than that result in enhanced integrated pest management and act as a comprehensive prophylactic and remedial treatment (Gentz et al. 2010). Pesticides are known to be one of the extremely useful and beneficial agents for preventing losses of crops as well as diseases in humans. Based on the action, pesticides can be classified as destroying, repelling and mitigating agents. Insects and pests are getting immune to the commercial pesticides due to over usage. Recently pesticides have been developed which target multiple species (Speck-Planche et al. 2012).
The use of pesticide is as old as human civilization in fact when human being started the agricultural activity for the sustainable life. In ancient times, the first intentional use of a pesticide dates back to 2500 BC when the Sumerians rubbed foul smelling sulfur compounds on their bodies to control insects and mites. The use of a wide range of chemicals to destroy pests and weeds is an important aspect of agricultural practice in both developed and developing countries. Although since ancient times there has been a major changes occurred as a result we get more elaborate molecule to tackle our agriculture produce safety, which has led to widespread concern over the potential adverse effects of these chemicals on human health. It is clear that the possibility for exposure to pesticides is greatest among farm workers.
Pesticides promise the effective mitigation of harmful bugs, but unfortunately, the risks associated with their use have surpassed their beneficial effects. Non- selective pesticides kill non-target plants and animals along with the targeted ones. Moreover, with the passage of time, some pests also develop genetic resistance to pesticides. This chapter focuses on the use of pesticides since the ancient times, merits of pesticide usage and most importantly, the harmful impact of pesticides on human health and the environment.
The use of pesticides has increased many folds over the past few decades. According to an estimate, about 5.2 billion pounds of pesticides are used worldwide per year. The use of pesticides for pest mitigation has become a common practice all around the world. Their use is not only restricted to agricultural fields, but they are also employed in homes in the form of sprays, poisons and powders for controlling cockroaches, mosquitoes, rats, fleas, ticks and other harmful bugs. Due to this reason, pesticides are frequently found in our food commodities in addition to their presence in the air. Pesticides prevent disease outbreaks through the control of rodent and insect vectors hence they contribute to improved human health. Deaths of about seven million people all around the world have been prevented through insecticide mediated killing of disease vectors (Ross 2005).
Pesticides are widely used in most areas of crop production to minimize infestations by pests and thus protect crops from potential yield losses and reduction of product quality. Thus, they play an essential role in ensuring high profits to farmers, providing reliable supplies of agricultural produce at prices which are affordable to consumers, and also improving the quality of produce in terms of cosmetic appeal which is also important to buyers.
Therefore, in Edo State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to assess the Knowledge on Health Effect of Chemical Used for Pest Control in Food Storage Facilities.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that one of the many challenges farmers confront is the effect of insect pest. The presence of insect pest can be inimical to the outcome of farm produce. One of the numerous effects of insect pest on crops is the growth limitation it places on the crops. This situation defeats the farmer’s organic and inorganic crop growth methods. Other effects of insects’ pest include reduction of in output of farm produce and spoilages experience by farmers. Arthropods prey on insect pest and act as a control mechanism for insect pest. However, in Edo State, the rate of arthropods predators are yet to be determined, this study seeks to fill this gap. More so, this study will determine the advantage of arthropods and the relationship between arthropods predators and the control of insect pests.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to assess the Knowledge on Health Effect of Chemical Used for Pest Control in Food Storage Facilities in Edo State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the effect of indiscriminate use of chemicals in environmental health and human health;
- To investigate the advantage of chemical usage for pest control towards farmers;
- To assess the level of pesticide exposure to food storage and its effect on growth;
- To examine the benefit of pesticides in food storage facilities; and
- To examine the relationship between the existence of chemical effect on health and control of insect pests.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What is the effect of chemical utilized for pest control in Food Storage Facilities?
- What is the advantage of chemical usage for pest control towards farmers?
- What is the level of pesticide exposure to food storage and its effect on growth?
- What is the benefit of pesticides in food storage facilities?
- What is the relationship between the existence of chemical effect on health and control of insect pests?
1.6 Significance of Study
This study is advantageous to the farmer as it educates the farmers on the positives associated with arthropods predators. Economically, the study is helpful as it allows scientists to leverage on the positives of arthropods predators to invent or develop insect pest control methods. Also, this study is a contribution to the numerous studies on insect pest control in Zoology and it is an academic source for further researches.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.7 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Assessment of Knowledge on Health Effect of Chemical Used for Pest Control in Food Storage Facilities in Edo State.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.9 Definition of Terms
Insect: Insects are pancrustacean hexapod invertebrates and the largest group within the arthropod phylum.
Pest: a destructive insect or other animal that attacks crops, food, livestock, etc.
