NEW DELHI: Long-term exposure to pesticides may be damaging the brains and mental health of older farmers in West Bengal, according to a major study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research. Researchers say the findings are a wake-up call for rural India, where chemical-heavy farming is widespread, with minimal safety practices.The study was carried out by experts from the ICMR–Centre for Ageing and Mental Health, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, Sagore Dutta Hospital and the Institute of Health & Family Welfare in Kolkata. With chemical-intensive farming still the norm, the authors cautioned that the hidden burden of neurological and mental-health disorders could escalate rapidly without urgent preventive action.The research was conducted in the Galsi II block of Purba Bardhaman district, a region that mirrors the broader demographic profile of West Bengal, where nearly 69 per cent of people live in rural areas and agriculture remains the main source of livelihood. Researchers screened 808 residents aged 50 and above who had lived in the area for at least five years. Although the sample size was limited, the authors say it offers a reliable snapshot of the burden of common neurological and neuroinflammatory conditions in rural settings. More than one in five participants—180 people—showed signs of cognitive problems, depression or possible movement disorders. Cognitive impairment included difficulties with memory, reasoning, attention and overall thinking ability. Notably, 12.5% had only cognitive impairment, a figure higher than the prevalence reported in many urban elderly studies from southern and northern India. A study on urban adults in eastern India using the same tool reported mild cognitive impairment at 14.9%, indicating that rural populations may be equally, if not more, vulnerable.Exposure mattered significantly. Those handling pesticides regularly were nearly three times more likely to develop neurological or mental-health issues. The risk climbed further among individuals exposed for over 30 years or those who sprayed pesticides at least once a week. Farmers engaged solely in agricultural work had the poorest memory scores, struggled more with daily activities and showed higher levels of depression.Medical experts say the findings align with established scientific evidence. Dr Manjari Tripathi, head of the department of neurology at AIIMS, said pesticides have long been implicated in neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s dementia and related disorders. “Both the magnitude and duration of exposure are critical determinants of risk, she said. Researchers warn that without immediate policy attention, India’s rural elderly may face a rising burden of memory loss, depression and disability linked directly to decades of unchecked pesticide use.
