Abstract

Kashmir valley is a horticultural hotbed with intensive pesticide consumption across the region. The expanding horticultural land use and residential construction within orchard spaces has triggered the concerns regarding residential pesticide exposure. While occupational exposure among the horticultural population has been widely studied, minimal attention has been given to the exposure emerging out of residential proximity. To assess these dynamics in the region, a quantitative cross-sectional method was followed. A set of six indicators were selected based on their relevance to pesticide exposure arising from closeness to pesticide treated areas. The indicators included; orchard-residence distance, buffer zone availability, storage pattern of pesticides, awareness of pesticide toxicity, disposal mechanism of pesticide trash and Post spray health symptoms. A composite Residential Proximity Index (RPI) was developed to assess exposure potential across the valley out of these indicators. The study finds unavailability of buffer zones is the prominent cause of residential exposure followed by unsafe dumping of pesticide leftovers. 68.5 % of the households reside within critical (500-100) meter limits with no intercepting buffer zone. RPI scores indicate three- fourth (75.6%) of the households fall within moderate to high-risk categories. The indicator specific and composite assessment of the residential exposure underscores the importance of multi-layered vegetative buffers around residential houses. Alongside labelling of pesticide treated areas as “no entry zones’’ for few days could reduce the exposure.