A Study on Agrochemical Impacts on Environmental and Public Health in India: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The rapid evolution of agricultural methodologies in India has precipitated a substantial escalation in the utilization of agrochemicals, encompassing fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. While these substances have demonstrably aided in augmenting crop productivity and ensuring national food security, their excessive application and insufficient regulatory oversight have engendered significant environmental and public health concerns. This review consolidates current literature regarding the ecological and health effects of agrochemicals in India, emphasizing critical pathways of contamination, including soil degradation, water pollution, and bioaccumulation within food chains. This examination investigates the toxicological consequences for human health, focusing on both acute and chronic effects observed in agricultural labourers and the wider population. Furthermore, the analysis considers socio-economic ramifications, particularly those affecting smallholder farmers, alongside the deficiencies present in current regulatory structures. The study emphasizes the importance of sustainable alternatives, including integrated pest management, organic farming, and precision agriculture. The report's conclusions indicate recommendations for reducing the risks of agrochemicals. These recommendations also aim to maintain long-term agricultural productivity and promote environmental sustainability.

Country : India

1 Ravi Verma

  1. Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology, Lucknow, India

IRJIET, Volume 10, Issue 3, March 2026 pp. 196-208

doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2026.103028

References

  1. Ahmad, Md Faruque, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad, Abdulrahman A. Alsayegh, Md. Zeyaullah, Abdullah M. AlShahrani, Khursheed Muzammil, Abdullah Ali Saati, et al. 2024a. “RETRACTED: Pesticides Impacts on Human Health and the Environment with Their Mechanisms of Action and Possible Countermeasures.” Heliyon 10 (7): e29128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29128.
  2. Ahmad, Md Faruque, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad, Abdulrahman A. Alsayegh, Md. Zeyaullah, Abdullah M. AlShahrani, Khursheed Muzammil, Abdullah Ali Saati, et al. 2024b. “RETRACTED: Pesticides Impacts on Human Health and the Environment with Their Mechanisms of Action and Possible Countermeasures.” Heliyon 10 (7): e29128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29128.
  3. Alom, Khairul, Delwar Akbar, Cheng-Yuan Xu, and Tham Hong Dong. 2025. “Assessing Environment Impacts of Chemical Fertilizers Consumption in Australia: State-Level Evidence.” Environmental and Sustainability Indicators 28 (December 2025): 101053. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2025.101053.
  4. Anaduaka, Emeka Godwin, Nene Orizu Uchendu, Rita Onyekachukwu Asomadu, Arinze Linus Ezugwu, Emmanuel Sunday Okeke, and Timothy Prince Chidike Ezeorba. 2023. “Widespread Use of Toxic Agrochemicals and Pesticides for Agricultural Products Storage in Africa and Developing Countries: Possible Panacea for Ecotoxicology and Health Implications.” Heliyon 9 (4): e15173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15173.
  5. Anim, Amos O., Herman Erick Lutterodt, Caleb William Ofori, Ivy Oduro-Boateng, Justina Achiaa Bonsu, Gloria M. Ankar-Brewoo, Linda Nana Esi Aduku, Charles Apprey, and Reginald Adjetey Annan. 2025a. “The Impact of Agricultural Practices on Food Composition – A Systematic Review.” Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 148 (December 2025): 108388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2025.108388.
  6. Anim, Amos O., Herman Erick Lutterodt, Caleb William Ofori, Ivy Oduro-Boateng, Justina Achiaa Bonsu, Gloria M. Ankar-Brewoo, Linda Nana Esi Aduku, Charles Apprey, and Reginald Adjetey Annan. 2025b. “The Impact of Agricultural Practices on Food Composition – A Systematic Review.” Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 148 (December 2025): 108388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2025.108388.
  7. Awoonor, Johnny Kofi, Emmanuel Amoakwah, Mohammed Moro Buri, Bright Fafali Dogbey, and Jackson Kwame Gyamfi. 2025. “Impact of Land Use on Soil Quality: Insights from the Forest-Savannah Transition Zone of Ghana.” Heliyon 11 (1): e41183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41183.
  8. Boonupara, Thirasant, PatchimapornUdomkun, Eakalak Khan, and PuangratKajitvichyanukul. 2023. “Airborne Pesticides from Agricultural Practices: A Critical Review of Pathways, Influencing Factors, and Human Health Implications.” Toxics 11 (10): 858. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11100858.
  9. Botnaru, Alexandra Andreea, Ancuta Lupu, Paula Cristina Morariu, Alexandra Jităreanu, Alin Horatiu Nedelcu, Branco Adrian Morariu, Emil Anton, et al. 2025. “Neurotoxic Effects of Pesticides: Implications for Neurodegenerative and Neurobehavioral Disorders.” Journal of Xenobiotics 15 (3): 83. https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15030083.
  10. Bouselsal, Boualem, Adel Satouh, Johnbosco C. Egbueri, Mofreh A. Hashim, Ahmed A. Arafat, Prabhu Paramasivam, Ali Alzaed, and Enas E. Hussein. 2025. “Groundwater for Drinking and Sustainable Agriculture and Public Health Hazards of Nitrate: Developmental and Sustainability Implications for an Arid Aquifer System.” Results in Engineering 25 (March 2025): 104160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.104160.
  11. Buralli, Rafael, Siti Nurshahida Nazli, Leonel Cordoba, Lesliam Quiros-Alcala, Carly Hyland, María Teresa Muñoz-Quezada, Paulina Farías, and Alexis J. Handal. 2025. “Children’s Environmental and Occupational Exposures to Pesticides in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Rural Areas - an Elephant in the Room.” Science of The Total Environment 990 (August 2025): 179887. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179887.
  12. Cavalier, Haleigh, Leonardo Trasande, and Miquel Porta. 2023. “Exposures to Pesticides and Risk of Cancer: Evaluation of Recent Epidemiological Evidence in Humans and Paths Forward.” International Journal of Cancer 152 (5): 879–912. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.34300.
  13. Chen, Yiyuan, and Yunan Xu. 2025. “Unpacking the Penetration of Agrochemicals in China: The Commodification of Agricultural Inputs and the Invisible Dispossession of Smallholders.” World Development 196 (December 2025): 107163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2025.107163.
  14. Damalas, Christos, and Spyridon Koutroubas. 2016. “Farmers’ Exposure to Pesticides: Toxicity Types and Ways of Prevention.” Toxics 4 (1): 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics4010001.
  15. Datta, Amrita. 2023. “Urban-Rural Inequality.” In Global Handbook of Inequality, 1–17. Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97417-6_102-1.
  16. Deguine, Jean-Philippe, Jean-Noël Aubertot, Rica Joy Flor, Françoise Lescourret, Kris A.G. Wyckhuys, and Alain Ratnadass. 2021. “Integrated Pest Management: Good Intentions, Hard Realities. A Review.” Agronomy for Sustainable Development 41 (3): 38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-021-00689-w.
  17. Demi, Suleyman M, and Suzanne R Sicchia. 2021. “Agrochemicals Use Practices and Health Challenges of Smallholder Farmers in Ghana.” Environmental Health Insights 15 (January 2021). https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302211043033.
  18. Dinçkol, Dize, Pinar Ozcan, and Markos Zachariadis. 2023. “Regulatory Standards and Consequences for Industry Architecture: The Case of UK Open Banking.” Research Policy 52 (6): 104760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2023.104760.
  19. Fang, Xinyan, Yanrong Yang, Zhiguo Zhao, Yang Zhou, Yuan Liao, Zhiyong Guan, Sumei Chen, Weimin Fang, Fadi Chen, and Shuang Zhao. 2023. “Optimum Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium Fertilizer Application Increased Chrysanthemum Growth and Quality by Reinforcing the Soil Microbial Community and Nutrient Cycling Function.” Plants 12 (23): 4062. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12234062.
  20. Getahun, Sewnet, Habtamu Kefale, and Yohannes Gelaye. 2024. “Application of Precision Agriculture Technologies for Sustainable Crop Production and Environmental Sustainability: A Systematic Review.” The Scientific World Journal 2024 (1). https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/2126734.
  21. Ghorbani, Abazar, AbolghassemEmamverdian, Necla Pehlivan, Meisam Zargar, Seyed Mehdi Razavi, and Moxian Chen. 2024. “Nano-Enabled Agrochemicals: Mitigating Heavy Metal Toxicity and Enhancing Crop Adaptability for Sustainable Crop Production.” Journal of Nanobiotechnology 22 (1): 91. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-024-02371-1.
  22. Hooven, Louisa A., Priyadarshini Chakrabarti, Bryan J. Harper, Ramesh R. Sagili, and Stacey L. Harper. 2019. “Potential Risk to Pollinators from Nanotechnology-Based Pesticides.” Molecules 24 (24): 4458. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24244458.
  23. Ingrao, Carlo, Rossana Strippoli, Giovanni Lagioia, and Donald Huisingh. 2023. “Water Scarcity in Agriculture: An Overview of Causes, Impacts and Approaches for Reducing the Risks.” Heliyon 9 (8): e18507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18507.
  24. Jogie, Joshua A. 2025. “A Comprehensive Review of Occupational Medicine in the Paint Industry: Roles of Family Medicine and Internal Medicine.” Cureus, ahead of print, January 5, 2025. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.76970.
  25. Kabato, Wogene, NigussHailegnaw, LamnganbiMutum, and Zoltan Molnar. 2025. “Managing Soil Health for Climate Resilience and Crop Productivity in a Changing Environment.” Science of The Total Environment 1000 (October 2025): 180460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180460.
  26. Kashyap, Urvashi, Shivani Garg, and Pooja Arora. 2024a. “Pesticide Pollution in India: Environmental and Health Risks, and Policy Challenges.” Toxicology Reports 13 (December 2024): 101801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2024.101801.
  27. Kashyap, Urvashi, Shivani Garg, and Pooja Arora. 2024b. “Pesticide Pollution in India: Environmental and Health Risks, and Policy Challenges.” Toxicology Reports 13 (December 2024): 101801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2024.101801.
  28. Kaur, Lavjit, and Shalini Sharma. 2017. “Mitigating Cancer Mortality in Punjab: A Challenge for Development.” Indian Journal of Economics and Development 13 (2a): 36. https://doi.org/10.5958/2322-0430.2017.00036.1.
  29. Koussé, Jean Noël Dado, Sylvain Ilboudo, Jean Claude Romaric Pingdwindé Ouédraogo, Moritz Hunsmann, Geoffroy Gueswindé Ouédraogo, Moussa Ouédraogo, Félix Bondo Kini, and Sylvin Ouédraogo. 2023. “Self-Reported Health Effects of Pesticides among Cotton Farmers from the Central-West Region in Burkina Faso.” Toxicology Reports 11 (December 2023): 273–282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.09.011.
  30. Kumar, Pankaj, Ajay Singh, Manikant Tripathi, Deepti Diwan, R. Manimekalai, Minaxi Sharma, Sudisha Jogaiah, Ramesh Chandra Dubey, and Gauri Dutt Sharma. 2025. “Microbial Degradation of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Food Supply Chain.” Discover Food 5 (1): 270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00569-2.
  31. Lankinen, Åsa, Johanna Witzell, Kristin Aleklett, Sara Furenhed, Kristina Karlsson Green, Meike Latz, Erland Liljeroth, et al. 2024. “Challenges and Opportunities for Increasing the Use of Low-Risk Plant Protection Products in Sustainable Production. A Review.” Agronomy for Sustainable Development 44 (2): 21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-024-00957-5.
  32. Latifovic, Lidija, Laura E. Beane Freeman, John J. Spinelli, Manisha Pahwa, Linda Kachuri, Aaron Blair, Kenneth P. Cantor, et al. 2020. “Pesticide Use and Risk of Hodgkin Lymphoma: Results from the North American Pooled Project (NAPP).” Cancer Causes & Control 31 (6): 583–599. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-020-01301-4.
  33. Madjar, Roxana Maria, Gina Vasile Scăețeanu, and Mirela Alina Sandu. 2024. “Nutrient Water Pollution from Unsustainable Patterns of Agricultural Systems, Effects and Measures of Integrated Farming.” Water 16 (21): 3146. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16213146.
  34. Modu, M. A., 1Kodiya, M. A., 2Babangida, M. U., 3Kabara, A. D., Ishaq, K., 1Ngoshe,  H. S. and 1Maiva, I. M. 2025. “EXAMINING THE POLLUTION RISKS OF AGROCHEMICALS AND PATHS TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.” JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES 11 (1): 238–255. https://doi.org/10.56160/jaeess/2025/11/1/020.
  35. Mondal, Krishna, Manojit Chowdhury, Suman Dutta, Ajay N. Satpute, Ayushi Jha, Suyog Khose, Vishal Gupta, and Sumanta Das. 2025. “Synergising Agricultural Systems: A Critical Review of the Interdependencies within the Water-Energy-Food Nexus for Sustainable Futures.” Water-Energy Nexus 8 (December 2025): 167–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wen.2025.04.004.
  36. Muñoz-Bautista, Jesús Martín, Ariadna Thalía Bernal-Mercado, Oliviert Martínez-Cruz, Armando Burgos-Hernández, Alonso Alexis López-Zavala, Saul Ruiz-Cruz, José de Jesús Ornelas-Paz, Jesús Borboa-Flores, José Rogelio Ramos-Enríquez, and Carmen Lizette Del-Toro-Sánchez. 2025. “Environmental and Health Impacts of Pesticides and Nanotechnology as an Alternative in Agriculture.” Agronomy 15 (8): 1878. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081878.
  37. Nair, Monika, Petra Svedberg, Ingrid Larsson, and Jens M. Nygren. 2024. “A Comprehensive Overview of Barriers and Strategies for AI Implementation in Healthcare: Mixed-Method Design.” PLOS ONE 19 (8): e0305949. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305949.
  38. Narayana Kurup, Jayakrishnan Kelamangalathu, and Simanchal P Mohanty. 2017. “Congenital Scoliosis: An Anomalous Association with Endosulfan.” BMJ Case Reports 2017 (December 2017): bcr-2017-220803. https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2017-220803.
  39. Okuthe, Grace Emily, Edith Dube, and Patrick Siyambulela Mafunda. 2025. “Effects of Pharmaceuticals and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals on Reproductive Biology of Aquatic Fauna: Penguins as Sentinel Species.” Journal of Xenobiotics 15 (4): 110. https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15040110.
  40. Othman Said, Tarek. 2026. “Challenges and Future Orientation of Pesticides.” In Pesticides - Balancing Efficient Pest Control with Environmental and Health Safety [Working Title]. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1012348.
  41. Peivasteh-roudsari, Leila, Raziyeh Barzegar-bafrouei, Kurush Aghbolagh Sharifi, Shamimeh Azimisalim, Marziyeh Karami, Solmaz Abedinzadeh, Shabnam Asadinezhad, et al. 2023. “Origin, Dietary Exposure, and Toxicity of Endocrine-Disrupting Food Chemical Contaminants: A Comprehensive Review.” Heliyon 9 (7): e18140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18140.
  42. Quarta, Alessia, Maria Teresa Quarta, Concetta Mastromauro, Francesco Chiarelli, and Cosimo Giannini. 2024. “Influence of Nutrition on Growth and Development of Metabolic Syndrome in Children.” Nutrients 16 (22): 3801. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16223801.
  43. Reddy, A. Amarender, Meghana Reddy, and Vartika Mathur. 2024a. “Pesticide Use, Regulation, and Policies in Indian Agriculture.” Sustainability 16 (17): 7839. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177839.
  44. Reddy, A. Amarender, Meghana Reddy, and Vartika Mathur. 2024b. “Pesticide Use, Regulation, and Policies in Indian Agriculture.” Sustainability 16 (17): 7839. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177839.
  45. Shukla, Arvind Kumar, Sanjib Kumar Behera, S K Chaudhari, Gajendra Singh, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot, Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, M P Satna, and Indian Journal. 2022. “Fertilizer Use in Indian Agriculture and Its Impact on Human Health and Environment.” In Indian Journal of Fertilisers, vol. 18. no. 3.
  46. Singun, Amando. 2025. “Unveiling the Barriers to Digital Transformation in Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review.” Discover Education 4 (1): 37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00430-9.
  47. Soltaninia, Shahrokh, Mehrtash Eskandaripour, Mohammad H. Golmohammadi, Lobat Taghavi, and Arvin Mehboodi. 2025. “Nitrate Pollution in Urban Runoff: A Comprehensive Risk Assessment for Human and Ecological Health.” Science of The Total Environment 974 (April 2025): 179184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179184.
  48. Sponsler, Douglas B., Christina M. Grozinger, Claudia Hitaj, Maj Rundlöf, Cristina Botías, Aimee Code, Eric V. Lonsdorf, et al. 2019. “Pesticides and Pollinators: A Socioecological Synthesis.” Science of The Total Environment 662 (April 2019): 1012–1027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.016.
  49. Sreekumar, K M, and K D Prathapan. n.d. An Evidence-Based Inquiry into the Endosulfan Tragedy in Kasaragod, Kerala.
  50. Tachie-Menson, Josiah Wilson, Catherine Owusu, Frederick Kwame Yeboah, Flavio Odoi-Yorke, Agnes Abeley Abbey, Frank Kwekucher Ackah, and Ransford Opoku Darko. 2025. “Environmental Impact of Pesticide Runoff in Irrigated Agriculture: Evidence from Gomoa West Field, Ghana.” Discover Environment 3 (1): 105. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-025-00268-w.
  51. Tadesse Mawcha, Kahsay, Lawrence Malinga, Debbie Muir, Jing Ge, and Dennis Ndolo. 2025. “Recent Advances in Biopesticide Research and Development with a Focus on Microbials.” F1000Research 13 (March 2025): 1071. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.154392.5.
  52. Tarazona, Jose V., Mercedes de Alba-Gonzalez, Carole Bedos, Pierre Benoit, Colette Bertrand, Olivier Crouzet, Cécile Dagès, et al. 2024. “A Conceptual Framework for Landscape-Based Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) of Pesticides.” Environment International 191 (September 2024): 108999. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.108999.
  53. Thakur, J. S., B. T. Rao, Arvind Rajwanshi, H. K. Parwana, and Rajesh Kumar. 2008. “Epidemiological Study of High Cancer among Rural Agricultural Community of Punjab in Northern India.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 5 (5): 399–407. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph5050399.
  54. Thiede, Brian C., Jaclyn L. W. Butler, David L. Brown, and Leif Jensen. 2020. “Income Inequality across the Rural‐Urban Continuum in the United States, 1970–2016*.” Rural Sociology 85 (4): 899–937. https://doi.org/10.1111/ruso.12354.
  55. Verma, Ravi. 2025a. “Comprehensive Analysis of Marine Pollution: Sources, Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts, and Sustainable Mitigation Strategies with Public Awareness.” IARJSET 12 (10). https://doi.org/10.17148/IARJSET.2025.121008.
  56. Verma, Ravi. 2025b. “The Gomti River at Risk: An Integrated Review of Pollution Sources, Environmental and Public Health Impacts, and Sustainable Management Pathway.” In Journal of Indian Association for Environmental Management, vol. 45. no. 3. http://op.niscair.res.in/index/php/JIAEM/index.
  57. Verma, Ravi. 2026. “Environmental and Public Health Impacts of Pesticides: A Comprehensive Review Study.” IARJSET 13 (3). https://doi.org/10.17148/IARJSET.2026.13386.
  58. Verma, Ravi. n.d. “The Impact of Indian Agriculture on Pollution and Public Health: A Review.” International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development 8. www.ijsred.com.
  59. Wang, Hui, Hui Zeng, Qi Wang, Ruiren Zhou, Zhihong Xu, Maohong Fan, Ammar Mohammed AL-Farga, and Qixing Zhou. 2026. “Global Agro-Environmental Trends and Challenges.” Agricultural Environment and Sustainability 1 (1): 100006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ages.2025.100006.
  60. Zhou, Wei, Mengmeng Li, and Varenyam Achal. 2025. “A Comprehensive Review on Environmental and Human Health Impacts of Chemical Pesticide Usage.” Emerging Contaminants 11 (1): 100410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emcon.2024.100410.
  61. Zlatnik, Marya G. 2016. “Endocrine‐Disrupting Chemicals and Reproductive Health.” Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health 61 (4): 442–455. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.12500.