Pesticide traces found in Kathmandu rice, study reveals

A recent study published in Springer Nature's "Environment, Development and Sustainability" has revealed alarming levels of pesticide contamination in rice consumed within the Kathmandu Valley. The findings, a collaboration between Nepal's Progressive Sustainable Developers and India's Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, indicate that 83 percent of sampled rice contained pesticide residues, with a significant portion showing multiple types. The report highlights that some detected pesticides, including tricyclazole, thiamethoxam, and tebuconazole, exceed European Union maximum residue limits, posing a serious threat to public health.

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Among the 11 pesticides found in rice, the levels of tricyclazole, thiamethoxam and tebuconazole are far above the maximum residue limits set by the European Union. These pesticides are extremely harmful to human health.

Researchers pointed to farming practices, particularly with basmati rice, as a major contributor to the high contamination levels. Basmati, being a high-value crop with lower pest resistance, sees farmers applying more pesticides than recommended to protect their investment and maximize profits. This practice, while economically motivated, directly leads to increased residue levels in the final product consumed by the populace.

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Because basmati is a high-value crop, farmers apply pesticides more frequently and in higher doses than recommended to protect their investment and maximise profit. As a result, residue levels are higher.

The study also identified banned pesticides such as chlorpyrifos, alpha-cypermethrin, and profenofos, underscoring a failure in market monitoring and regulatory oversight. Officials acknowledge that while pesticide residues should dissipate before harvest, the continued presence of banned chemicals suggests significant gaps in the supply chain. The long-term health implications, including the risk of developing cancers, are a grave concern for the health of Nepalis. This situation demands urgent attention from regulatory bodies to ensure food safety and protect citizens from harmful chemical exposure.

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Continuous intake of such rice leads to accumulation of pesticides in the human body, which over time may cause deadly diseases such as cancers related to the stomach, prostate and reproductive system.