.:Heal Toxics:.

Community-Based Monitoring (CBM) is a systematic method of participatory action documentation on the impact of pesticides on health and the environment at the community level by the community.

Start CBM by using standard questionnaires to monitor the impact of pesticides on health.

CBM Case Studies

The following are successful attempts at Community-Based Monitoring by NGOs and people’s organizations in different countries. These studies reflect an effective blend of grassroots-level organizing, professional documentation, and advocacy. Because of the strong impact these studies have made on the national and international health and environmental community, several of the communities, organizations, and professionals involved have been subject to harassment.

Kamukhaan, A Poisoned Village (Monitoring the Use of Pesticides
in Banana Plantations-Philippines)

“Since the plantation’s expansion in the early 1980’s, the people of Kamukhaan have had to endure aerial spraying of pesticides that takes place as often as 2-3 times a month. Pesticides, which the company uses to ensure for themselves pest-free, export quality bananas, are sprayed by an airplane, which sweeps through the plantation and their entire village…”

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Endosulfan Poisoning in Kasargod, Kerala, India

“Deformed calves, disappearing honeybees, dying fowls and jackals provided the first warnings. Not long after, strange illnesses in men, women and children started happening. Many believed that the gods were angry and many had to pay the price of pesticide use with their own suffering and death. But journalists, doctors, and farmer activists provided clear facts and led the struggle…”

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Health Effects of Pesticides on Former IRRI
(International Rice Research Institute) Workers-Philippines

“This study attempts to look deeper beneath the claims and the public relations images that were created by IRRI and government pronouncements by going to the IRRI workers themselves and eliciting their experiences and views about the institution…”

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Poisoned and Silenced
Pesticide Exposure Study Among Women Pesticide Sprayers-Malaysia)

“Women are the major workforce on plantations and undertake activities such as mixing, handling and spraying pesticides in their work environment. They are exposed to pesticides daily, along with their families who reside on the plantations. It is widely accepted that the harmful effects affect women more than men due to their physiological make-up…”

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