Original research article
Human Health and Environmental Risk Perceptions Related to Pesticide Use in Algerian Market Gardening
2024, 89 (4) p. 391-403
Nafissa Soudani, Hassina Hafida Boukhalfa, Khaoula Toumi, Amina Soudani
Abstract
Summary A random survey was performed in Ain Naga and Doucen of Biskra (Southeast Algeria) during 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 crop seasons to assess the environmental and human health risks posed by pesticides applied in Algerian market gardening systems, and to identify products with lower risks. Therefore, the Quebec Pesticide Risk Indicator "IRPeQ" is used to compute risk indices of 24 different active substances widely used and potentially hazardous. Data for these calculations of the Human Risk Index (HRI) and Environmental Risk Index (ERI) values are sourced from global databases of pesticides' properties. Data reveal that the Human Risk Index, formulations based on triadimntol exhibited the highest value (HRI = 4580), while formulations of Acarol 10 WP® and Hexizox® based on Hexythiazox displayed the lowest value (HRI = 20). Regarding the Environmental Risk Index, formulations containing tefluthrin and fenbutatin oxide registered the highest value (ERI = 462), whereas Maneb (a.s.) had the lowest value (ERI = 33). Mopistop® and Score® formulations are therefore identified as the most favourable products, ensuring both safe and sustainable production.
Keywords
market gardening, pesticides, human health, environment, risk indices
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