The effect of chemical pesticides on farmers' neurobehavioral disorders Literature Review

Abstract

Widespread exposure to pesticides among Indonesian farmers through various routes and risk factors poses a serious threat to health, particularly to the nervous system and neurobehavioral performance. According to the 2023 BPS Agricultural Census, there are 27.8 million farmers in Indonesia. Approximately 12.37% of the total population works as farmers (≈ 3.4 million people) who are at risk of intensive pesticide exposure.The method used was a literature review, using inclusion criteria. A total of 5,499 articles were collected from this stage, reflecting a comprehensive and sensitive search strategy in line with systematic literature practices. Next, screening was conducted and 15 articles that met the criteria were obtained. Pesticide exposure in farmers can cause various health problem, on of which is damage to the nervous system. Excessive use of pesticides can disrupt the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, thereby affecting the nervous system. Many studies show that exposure to pesticides, especially organophosphates, carbamates, and pyrethroids, is closely related to decreased memory function, attention, and motor speed and coordination. One of them reported symptoms such as difficulties in concentration, fatigue, and headaches. The effects appear both in acute exposure and in cases without severe symptoms, but accumulate over the long term. A number of studies have concluded that there is a significant relationship between frequency of exposure, duration of work, pesticide dosage, and neurobehavioral disorders.