March-April 2003

Beginning with a collation of stories from different countries, which highlight the exposure pattern of pesticides among women, the book illustrates the science of pesticide exposure, explaining the different health hazards like cancer, birth defects, neurotoxic defects and respiratory effects. Keeping the focus on women throughout, it explains the various ways in which the toxicity is manifested. It also talks how under reporting of pesticide hazards and its exposure is common in many countries. What is refreshing in the book is that a global perspective is presented by having different authors speak on what is unique to their country and place in terms of pesticide exposure and health hazards. The book is interspersed with case studies that speak about incidents across the world. A special section is devoted to policy making and regulations, which try to fill in the gap that exists between pesticide policy tools and decision-making procedures.