Sustained pesticide exposure in orchards increases cancer risk, warn doctors

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: Continuous exposure to chemical pesticides and fungicides, commonly used in orchards and home gardens, increases the risk of developing cancer, experts said on Wednesday.

Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Dr Zahoor, a noted oncologist, said frequent spraying of synthetic agrochemicals—especially in apple orchards and private lawns—poses a serious health threat, not only to farmers and gardeners but also to residents living in nearby areas.

He said many of the chemicals used in agricultural and horticultural practices as pesticides and fertilisers are known carcinogens. “They enter our body directly through the consumption of agricultural products or via contaminated water and food products,” he said.

Dr Ashraf, another oncologist, told KNO that the correlation needs to be established through controlled clinical research and studies. He said this has been observed during experimental animal studies.

Doctors said long-term exposure to these toxic chemicals has been linked to various types of cancer, including leukaemia, lymphoma and prostate cancer.

They said even small, repeated exposures can disrupt hormonal balances and damage DNA over time, as many pesticides contain carcinogenic compounds that can linger in the soil, water and air, eventually making their way into the food chain. Children, pregnant women and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.

“There is an urgent need to shift towards organic and biological alternatives. Protective gear must be worn during application, and buffer zones should be created to limit human exposure,” they advised.

Compounds like glyphosate, chlorpyrifos and certain organophosphates have been scientifically proven to increase the risk of cancer, according to doctors. When these are sprayed without protective measures and in excess, they contaminate the soil, water and ultimately, the food chain, they added.

Quoting studies, doctors said in villages close to orchards and farmlands, residents often report respiratory issues, skin allergies and other chronic symptoms. “Farmers often use banned or outdated pesticides and rarely follow safety protocols. Many are unaware of the health hazards posed by these chemicals, both to themselves and to consumers,” they said.

Farmers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides reported symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, muscle pain and respiratory issues, the doctors said, adding that long-term exposure has also been associated with diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. —(KNO)