Pesticide Intensity in Rice Production in Central Thailand: Implications for Environmental and Health Risks

Abstract

This study aims to assess the pesticide intensity in rice production in central Thailand by estimating the pesticide application rates, and the total mass loads of pesticide active ingredients, including screening pesticide contamination and effects on the surrounding environment and health risks. Data were collected using face-to-face in-depth interviews with farm owners, tenants and pesticide applicators from August 2021 to July 2022. The findings revealed a wide range of 50 pesticide active ingredients used in the rice production process in the central region, with five pesticides, namely, propanil, glyphosate, 2,4-D, difenoconazole and propiconazole, being the most frequently used for all rice varieties. Although Thailand has banned paraquat and chlorpyrifos, since 2020, they were still used in rice fields of RD rice (RD41 and RD61), Pathum Thani rice, and other rice varieties. Because of the largest planting area, the RD rice var. received the greatest pesticide mass load compared with other rice varieties. Using selected key parameters of pesticide physicochemical properties can help to screen environmental contamination and exposure risks for the pesticides used in the area.