Article 5. Reducing health and environmental risks

• 5.1 Governments should:
  • 5.1.1 implement a pesticide registration and control system along the lines set out in Article 6;
  • 5.1.2 periodically review the pesticides marketed in their country, their acceptable uses and their availability to each sector of the public, and conduct special reviews when indicated by scientific evidence;
  • 5.1.3 carry out health surveillance programmes of those who are occupationally exposed to pesticides and investigate, as well as document, poisoning cases;
  • 5.1.4 provide guidance and instructions to health workers, physicians and hospital staff on the treatment of suspected pesticide poisoning (25);
  • 5.1.5 establish national or regional poisoning information and control centres at strategic locations to provide immediate guidance on first aid and medical treatment, accessible at all times (25);
  • 5.1.6 utilize all possible means for collecting reliable data and maintaining statistics on health aspects of pesticides and pesticide poisoning incidents, with the objective of establishing the WHO harmonized system for identifying and recording such data (25). Suitably trained personnel and adequate resources should be made available to ensure the accuracy of information collected;
  • 5.1.7 provide extension and advisory services and farmers' organizations with adequate information about practical IPM strategies and methods, as well as the range of pesticide products available for use;
  • 5.1.8 ensure, with the cooperation of pesticide industry, that where pesticides are available through outlets which also deal in food, clothing, medicines or other products for consumption or topical application, they are physically segregated from other merchandise to prevent contamination and/or mistaken identity. Where appropriate, they should be clearly marked as hazardous materials. Every effort should be made to publicize the dangers of storing foodstuffs and pesticides together (26);
  • 5.1.9 utilize all possible means for collecting reliable data, maintaining statistics on environmental contamination and reporting specific incidents related to pesticides;
  • 5.1.10 implement a programme to monitor pesticide residues in food and the environment.
• 5.2 Even where a control scheme is in operation, pesticide industry should:
  • 5.2.1 cooperate in the periodic reassessment of the pesticides which are marketed;
  • 5.2.2 provide poison-control centres and medical practitioners with information about pesticide hazards and on suitable treatment of pesticide poisoning;
  • 5.2.3 make every reasonable effort to reduce risks posed by pesticides by:
    • 5.2.3.1 making less toxic formulations available;
    • 5.2.3.2 introducing products in ready-to-use packages;
    • 5.2.3.3 developing application methods and equipment that minimize exposure to pesticides;
    • 5.2.3.4 using returnable and refillable containers where effective container collection systems are in place;
    • 5.2.3.5 using containers that are not attractive for subsequent reuse and promoting programmes to discourage their reuse, where effective container collection systems are not in place;
    • 5.2.3.6 using containers that are not attractive to or easily opened by children, particularly for domestic use products;
    • 5.2.3.7 using clear and concise labelling.
  • 5.2.4 halt sale and recall products when handling or use pose an unacceptable risk under any use directions or restrictions.
• 5.3 Government and industry should cooperate in further reducing risks by:
  • 5.3.1 promoting the use of proper and affordable personal protective equipment (5);
  • 5.3.2 making provisions for safe storage of pesticides at both warehouse and farm level (26, 27);
  • 5.3.3 establishing services to collect and safely dispose of used containers and small quantities of left-over pesticides (28);
  • 5.3.4 protecting biodiversity and minimizing adverse effects of pesticides on the environment (water, soil and air) and on non-target organisms.
• 5.5 In establishing production facilities of a suitable standard in developing countries, manufacturers and governments should cooperate to:
  • 5.5.1 adopt engineering standards and operating practices appropriate to the nature of the manufacturing operations and the hazards involved, and ensure the availability of appropriate protective equipment;
  • 5.5.2 take all necessary precautions to protect workers, bystanders, surrounding communities and the environment;
  • 5.5.3 ensure the proper siting of manufacturing and formulating plants and adequately control wastes and effluents;
  • 5.5.4 maintain quality-assurance procedures to ensure compliance with the relevant standards of purity, performance, stability and safety.

Article 4Back to the FAO Code Table of contentsArticle 6