Supervisors info:
Νικόλαος Καβαντζάς, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ, Επιβλέπων
Ανδρέας Χ. Λάζαρης, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Παναγιώτης Θεοδωράτος, Αφ. Επίκουρος Καθηγητής Τμήμα Δημόσιας Υγιεινής, Τ.Ε.Ι Αθήνας
Summary:
It is a fact that there are many factors some less and some others, more which can adversely affect the environment and seriously cause human health.
In recent decades, the frequent incorrect use of plant protection products, so as to deal with insect and disease attacks that affect crops, even in quantities far greater than recommended, has resulted in the degradation of the environment and biodiversity.
Therefore, according to the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature / IUCN (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), several native species of fauna and flora are under threat or at risk of extinction. At the same time, in the wider environment, various atmospheric pollution phenomena have been observed, such as the greenhouse effect, acid rain, photochemical smog, the ozone hole and smog.
Undoubtedly, the environment and human health are two concepts inextricably linked to each other, and the interaction between the environment and human health is a particularly complex process that is affected by different factors. Therefore, the reckless use of plant protection products can it also affects human health, in addition to the environment and biodiversity.
The possible routes of human infection when exposed to plant protection products are through a) breathing, b) ingestion (mouth) and c) skin contact. It is worth noting that the severity of the damage to the human system differs from organism to organism and depends on the type of active substance of the plant protection product in which it is exposed, the duration of exposure, the dose/quantity, the method and the age of the person.
For this reason, we have different types of damage such as respiratory, neurological, immune problems, damage to the eyes and vital organs, infertility, various forms of cancer, allergic reactions, deliriums as well as some serious abnormalities in the body tissues. etc., which are most often treatable with the right and appropriate treatment.
Consequently, for one we have an environment free from any form of pollution and to be healthy we should protect and respect the environment but also take preventive measures, which should be environmentally friendly so as to protect human life but also the entire ecosystem.
