Pesticide exposure in Sri Lanka

Pesticides are commonly used worldwide both in agricultural and domestic settings. The benefits to society and agriculture are well documented. There are, however, dangers associated with the use of pesticides. Some pesticides, such as organophosphates (the most commonly used pesticide worldwide), kill pests through a biological pathway that may also cause harm to humans. Acute exposure to pesticides has been associated with negative health effects such as cancer, respiratory disease, Parkinson’s disease and death. People in lowand middle-income countries (LMICs), such as Sri Lanka, often experience acute exposure alongside chronic exposure due to the widespread and largely unregulated use of pesticides. The level of chronic pesticide exposure in LMICs is likely to be higher than in