How pesticides used in aquaculture affect human health
- Pesticide residues in fish and shrimp
Pesticides used to kill insects, predators, or unwanted organisms accumulate in fish tissue.
Humans ingest these residues by eating contaminated fish.
Health impacts:
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Headache, dizziness
Liver and kidney damage (long-term)
Increased risk of cancer - Nervous system damage (neurotoxicity)
Many aquaculture pesticides (e.g. organophosphates, carbamates) affect the nervous system.
Human effects:
Memory loss
Tremors, paralysis
Behavioral disorders
Reduced brain development in children - Hormonal and reproductive disorders
Some pesticides act as endocrine disruptors.
Impacts:
Hormonal imbalance
Reduced fertility (men and women)
Birth defects
Early puberty or developmental problems - Cancer risk
Long-term exposure to pesticide residues is linked with:
Leukemia
Breast cancer
Prostate cancer
Liver cancer - Immune system suppression
Pesticides weaken the immune system
Increased susceptibility to infections
Reduced vaccine effectiveness - Bioaccumulation and biomagnification
Pesticides accumulate in fish fat
Concentration increases up the food chain
Humans receive the highest dose - Contaminated water and environment
Pesticides leach into groundwater and surface water
Affect drinking water sources
Cause chronic exposure even without eating fish - Acute poisoning of workers and nearby communities
Fish farmers and pond workers are at high risk due to:
Direct skin contact
Inhalation during application
Symptoms:
Skin irritation
Breathing difficulty
Eye damage
Sudden poisoning and death (severe cases)
Common pesticides misused in aquaculture
Organophosphates (malathion, chlorpyrifos)
Carbamates
Pyrethroids
Endosulfan (banned in many countries)
Agricultural insecticides used illegally in ponds
Safe alternatives to pesticides in aquaculture
Physical pond preparation (drying, liming)
Biological control
Probiotics and beneficial bacteria
Integrated pest management (IPM)
Good aquaculture practices (GAP)
Herbal and natural products
Key message
“Use of pesticides in aquaculture contaminates fish, water, and the environment—leading to neurological, hormonal, immune, and cancer risks in humans.”
