Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut , Beirut, Lebanon.
Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut , Beirut, Lebanon.
Int J Environ Health Res. 2021 Mar;31(2):132-147. doi: 10.1080/09603123.2019.1634797. Epub 2019 Jul 17.
The agricultural sector in Lebanon relies heavily on agrochemicals for crop protection; thus exposing humans and the environment to the harmful effects of pesticides. This study investigated Lebanese farmers' pesticide use practices and explored the underlying factors associated with farmers' choices. Of the 104 surveyed farmers, around 87% were willing to use pesticides that are less toxic to humans and the environment than those currently using, if available. The majority of these farmers (92%) planted their crops in greenhouses. Willingness to use less toxic pesticides was significantly associated with farmers using greenhouses as opposed to open fields, after adjusting for demographic and behavioural characteristics (OR = 7.50; p = 0.010). There was no association between willingness to use less toxic pesticides and perceptions of pesticides' health effects. Policies banning the import and sale of internationally banned pesticides must be enforced. Farmers must be supported to make informed choices about pesticides and their use.
黎巴嫩的农业部门在作物保护方面严重依赖农用化学品；因此，人类和环境会暴露在农药的有害影响下。本研究调查了黎巴嫩农民的农药使用情况，并探讨了与农民选择相关的潜在因素。在接受调查的 104 名农民中，约 87%的农民表示，如果有更环保、毒性更低的农药可供选择，他们愿意使用这些农药，而不是目前正在使用的农药。这些农民中的大多数（92%）在温室中种植作物。在调整了人口统计学和行为特征后，与在露天田地中种植作物的农民相比，愿意使用毒性更低的农药的农民更倾向于在温室中种植作物（OR = 7.50；p = 0.010）。使用毒性更低的农药的意愿与对农药健康影响的看法之间没有关联。必须执行禁止进口和销售国际禁用农药的政策。必须支持农民做出关于农药及其使用的明智选择。
