TOXICOLGICAL STUDIES ON AN INSECT REPELLIENT

Abstract

Pesticides are used for specific applications; their misuse can result m occupational diseases, destruction of the ecology and significant endangerment to surrounding communities. Recent estimates suggest that pesticides account for more than

20000 fatalities yearly, and that most of these will have occurred in developing countries. This may actually be a gross under- reporting. A high proportion of pesticide intoxication appear to be due to lack of knowledge, unsafe attitudes and dangerous practice. The lack of information at all levels may be one of the most important causative factor of chemical intoxication in developing countries. Research should at this time concentrate on behaviors leading to chemical intoxication. More information should be sought relative to the decision processes of import, legislation and licensing. Research and development efforts in appropriate technology and safety devices are also critically needed. (Forget, 1991).

Briefly, the use of pesticides as well as the use of any potentially injurious chemical substance must take into consideration the balance of the benefits that may be expected versus the possible risk of injury to human health or degeneration of environmental quality (FAO/WHO, 1981).

Radeleff (1970) stated that long - range effects of many pesticides in livestock are still not known or are poorly understood. On the other hand, Yamanaka et aL (1990) reported that it is very necessary that the toxicity of industrial chemicals, pesticides, food additives and