Type and Toxicity of Pesticides Sold for Community Vector Control Use in the Gambia

Objectives. The objective of this study was to identify the types of pesticides in circulation at local markets in The Gambia and to determine the proportion of products that were sold as unlabeled pesticides. Methods. One hundred twenty-eight samples sold as pesticides were collected from four local markets throughout The Gambia. Pesticides in the samples were identified by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Findings. Of the 128 samples collected, 115 were unlabeled. Pesticide components in 111 of those unlabeled samples were identified. Approximately 28% of these samples that contained pesticides are banned or restricted in the United States, and about 16% was classified as hazardous by WHO. Conclusions. Based on results for 128 samples, a significant percentage of the pesticide products sold at local markets in The Gambia in 2005 are considered extremely hazardous. 1. Introduction Diseases transmitted by insect vectors are a major health concern throughout the world and result in millions of deaths each year [1]. African nations are at a higher risk for vector-borne diseases than nations such as the United States, due to the tropical climate which allows disease transmission to occur year round, as well as housing conditions and lifestyles that result in greater contact with vectors. In addition, African nations often have insufficient infrastructure and are lacking the financial resources necessary for maintaining effective national vector control and drug distribution programs [2]. Application of pesticides is a simple vector control method that individuals can afford and is often the only option available to a household seeking to prevent vector-borne diseases in developing nations. However, the use of pesticides to prevent vector-borne diseases does not come without consequences. Studies have shown that human illness and death due to occupational and accidental pesticide exposures are significant health issues throughout the world [3, 4]. From the studies conducted, there is evidence showing that chronic health effects can result from long-term pesticide exposure in developing nations [5, 6]. High levels of pesticide exposure can result in fatal poisonings. Occupational exposures to pesticides may cause acute and long-term health effects [7]. In 1990, WHO estimated that there were at least one million serious accidental poisonings and an additional two million people hospitalized for voluntary ingestion of pesticides each year. Pesticide exposures resulted in over 220,000 deaths worldwide. The actual number of accidental pesticide