A recent study published in the journal Science found that Total Applied Toxicity (TAT) from pesticides increased globally between 2013–2019.
- In 2022, at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference, countries committed to reducing pesticide risk by 50% by 2030.
Key Highlights of Study
- Major Contributors to Global Pesticide Toxicity: China, Brazil, the U.S., and India contribute nearly 70% of global Total Applied Toxicity (TAT).
- Crops with High Pesticide Use: Pesticides are heavily applied on fruits, vegetables, maize, soybean, rice, and other cereals.
- Regional Toxicity Trends:
- Rising TAT: India, U.S., Brazil, and several African countries
- On Track: Chile is the only country projected to meet the UN 2030 pesticide risk-reduction target
- Affected Organisms: Toxicity from pesticides increased in following order:
- Invertebrate species
- Terrestrial plants
- Terrestrial arthropods
- Soil organisms
- Fish
- Regions with Highest TAT Increase:
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Parts of the Indian subcontinent
- Southern Australia
What is Total Applied Toxicity (TAT)?
- It measures the overall risk of pesticides to the environment. It is calculated by multiplying the amount of pesticide used by how toxic it is to different organisms.
- Unlike simple quantity-based measures, TAT gives a more realistic understanding of potential harm to humans, animals, and the environment.
Challenges Posed by Rising TAT
- Human Health Risk: Chemicals are present in daily life (food, water, household products) and can cause illness.
- For Example: In January 2026, 64% of apples tested in 13 European countries contained persistent “forever chemicals” that resist breakdown.
About Pesticides
- A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, or controlling any pest.
- Classification of Pesticides by Different Targets of Pests:
- Eg, Fungicides – Fungi,
- Insecticides – Insects,
- Herbicides – Plants, and
- Rodenticides – Rodent (mice and rats
- Pesticide Usage in India:
- Insecticides constitute the highest share (51.4%), followed by fungicides (32.6%) and herbicides (15.8%).
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- Challenge to U.N. SDG Target: Increasing TAT makes it harder to meet the U.N. target of reducing pesticide risk by 50% by 2030.
- For Example: Sub-Saharan Africa shows rapidly rising pesticide loads threatening sustainable agriculture.
- Long-Term Ecosystem Risks: High TAT can destabilize ecosystems, reduce soil fertility, and affect food webs.
- For Example: Aquatic ecosystems in Southeast Asia show fish population declines due to persistent pesticide runoff.
- Threat to Biodiversity and UN Targets: The increasing global TAT trends pose a challenge to achieving the U.N. pesticide risk reduction target and demonstrate the presence of threats to biodiversity globally.
Framework dealing with Pesticides in India
- Insecticides Act, 1968: Primary legislation regulating manufacture, sale, transport, and use of pesticides in India. Focused mainly on agricultural use, with limited provisions for household or commercial applications.
Limitations of the Insecticides Act, 1968
- The Act is outdated; pesticide use and toxicity have increased since 1968.
- High-toxicity and persistent chemicals (e.g., paraquat) are still in use.
- Weak regulation for non-agricultural pesticide exposure (homes, hotels, transport, public spaces).
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- Pesticides Management Bill 2025
- Protects People and Environment: Aims to reduce the harmful effects of pesticides.
- Promotes Safer Alternatives: Encourages the use of biological pesticides and solutions based on traditional knowledge.
- Need for careful drafting: Experts warn that if suggestions are ignored, the new law could be weaker than the old 1968 Act.
- Supports long-term farming changes: Pushes India to move away from chemical-heavy farming, address climate change, farmer issues, and chemical residues, and make users legally responsible for misuse.
- Regulatory Authorities:
- Central Insecticides Board (CIB): Advises on pesticide standards and approvals.
- Registration Committee: Approves registration of new pesticides based on safety and efficacy.
- State governments regulate sale, storage, and use within their jurisdictions.
Way Forward
- Monitoring and Mitigation: Global monitoring of TAT can guide policy and intervention strategies.
- For Example: The European Union’s “EU Pesticides Database” helps track chemical use and toxicity trends.
- Need for Improved Regulation & Sustainable Practices: The use of safer pesticide alternatives, integrated pest management (IPM), and organic farming is important to tackle TAT
- For Example: Adoption of biopesticides in Vietnam and India reduced local pesticide toxicity.
- Shift to Organic Agriculture: Greater adoption of organic agriculture and a shift to less toxic pesticides is vital to tackle menace.
- Global Cooperation: Align national policies with the U.N. SDG pesticide reduction targets.
24 Feb 2026
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