{"id":41420,"date":"2026-04-17T00:01:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T04:01:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/?p=41420"},"modified":"2026-04-16T17:23:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T21:23:42","slug":"research-identifies-pollution-effects-on-organic-agriculture-at-lower-levels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2026\/04\/research-identifies-pollution-effects-on-organic-agriculture-at-lower-levels\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Identifies Pollution Effects on Organic Agriculture at Lower Levels"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Beyond Pesticides<\/em>, April 17, 2026) A comparative analysis published in The Lancet Planetary Health<\/em><\/a> highlights the pervasiveness of pesticide pollution in organic and non-organic farms in Latin America (Costa Rica) and Africa (Uganda). While pesticides were detected in nearly all participating farmers, there is a significant relationship between lower biomarker concentrations (often correlating with less contamination) in urine samples of organic farmers relative to non-organic farmers. The researchers also identified that older farmers held higher herbicide and insecticide concentrations.<\/p>\n

This research builds on the preponderance of scientific evidence and lived experiences of agricultural communities across the globe, including the U.S., which documents nontarget contamination of food systems through air<\/a>, water<\/a>, and soil<\/a>. In this context, Beyond Pesticides continues to advocate for a transition to organic land management practices.<\/p>\n

Methodology and Results<\/h2>\n

\u201cWe collected urine samples from 601 conventional and organic smallholder farmers in Zarcero County, Costa Rica, and Wakiso District, Uganda, on two occasions during the primary spraying season,\u201d the authors write in introducing their methodology. The researchers tested urine samples of small-scale farmers in Costa Rica and Uganda for a mix of pesticides that include a fungicide, herbicide and insecticides\u2014mancozeb<\/a> (ETU), 2,4-D<\/a>, glyphosate<\/a>, pyrethroid metabolites (3-PBA, DCCA), diazinon<\/a> (IMPy), and chlorpyrifos<\/a> (TCPy). Participant data were gathered across two visits, including height, weight, sociodemographic (age, sex, literacy, income), farm-related (drinking water source, farming practice, job role), and pesticide-related information (pesticide poisoning, pesticide training, glove use, and application of parent pesticides). For more details on the statistical analysis, please see page four of the study PDF.<\/p>\n

The researchers received funding support from the Swiss National Science Foundation, Swedish Research Council, Swiss Network for International Studies, Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica, and State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation. This research is a continuation of the Pesticide Use in Tropical Settings (PESTROP) Study<\/a> project, \u201can interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research project studying environmental, health, and institutional dimensions of pesticide use in tropical settings.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the introduction of their study, researchers point to existing data sets and evidence in Costa Rica (PESTROP study, see here<\/a> and here<\/a>) and Uganda (Improving exposure assessment methodologies for epidemiological studies on pesticides [IMPRESS<\/a>] project), identifying pesticide safety training and organic farming as viable approaches to lower pesticide biomarkers in the human body. This study builds on the conclusions of previous research by comparing the relative reduction ranges of both approaches. \u201cLower biomarker concentrations were significantly associated with organic and mixed farming practices (24\u201368%) and with previous training on pesticide safety (17\u201327%),\u201d according to the authors.<\/p>\n

In other words, organic farming is more effective at reducing pesticide levels in the body relative to safety training that permits the continuous use of substances with known adverse effects.<\/p>\n

The researchers conclude with some additional notable findings from the study:<\/p>\n