Risks of environmental pollution linked to the use of pesticides in market gardening: case of the Sakaby and Dogona farms in Bobo-Dioulasso

Abstract

The need to regulate the use of pesticides in market gardening requires an assessment of the risks linked to phytosanitary practices. Thus, the "EPRIP" indicator (Environmental Potential Risk Indicator for Pesticides) was used to assess the toxicity risks linked to the use of pesticides in environmental compartments and the overall environmental risk at Sakaby and Dogona (Burkina Faso). Data was collected in 30 fields through a survey and field measurements.

The toxicity risk points (RP) per compartment and the overall toxicity score were calculated per active substance and per speculation. The majority of the pesticides used are pyrethrinoïds (91%) with acetamiprid (38%), cypermethrin (31%) and lambda-cyhalothrin (31%) as active ingredients. Intake doses of these pesticides can reach 51 times the recommended standard. Hence significant risks of toxicity in water and soil. The air presents a low risk of pollution for all active ingredients. In short, the alarming threshold of pesticide toxicity risks in water and soil (RP ≥ 3), suggests that measures should be taken for better monitoring of producers and a transition to agro-ecological practices.