Effect of Agrochemicals on The Environment and Human Health: A Review

Abstract

Agrochemicals constitute an essential component of modern agricultural systems due to their significant contribution to crop productivity, pest management, soil fertility improvement, and global food security. These chemicals include fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, and plant growth regulators. Despite their agronomic importance, the excessive and indiscriminate application of agrochemicals has become a major environmental and public health concern globally. Agrochemicals contribute to soil degradation, water contamination, air pollution, biodiversity loss, and ecological imbalance. Human exposure to these chemicals occurs through contaminated food and water, inhalation, and occupational contact has been associated with acute poisoning, cancers, endocrine disruption, neurological disorders, reproductive abnormalities, and respiratory diseases, resulting in acute chronic health complications. In developing countries such as Nigeria, weak regulatory systems, inadequate farmer education, and improper chemical handling practices further worsen the problem. This review examines the types of agrochemicals, their environmental effects, associated human health risks, and possible mitigation strategies for sustainable agricultural development.