Herbicide use in Nigeria: a review of its effects on human, animal and environmental health

Abstract

Herbicides are a class of pesticide compounds with a specific role in weed control. Most herbicides have a positive effect on crop production; however, they are also harmful to the environment, animals, and humans when misused. The aims of this study were to identify commonly used herbicides in Nigeria, examine the effects of herbicides from the perspective of One Health (i.e., the health of humans, animals, and the environment), and increase public awareness of the negative impact of herbicide misuse on human, animal, and environmental health in Nigeria. We conducted a systematic literature search for this study using Google Scholar, the Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (BASE), Research Gate, and PubMed, focusing on research studies conducted in Nigeria. In total, 192 articles were included in this review. Atrazine, glyphosate, metolachlor, paraquat, and 2,4-D are the most commonly used herbicides in Nigeria. According to reports, some of these chemicals inhibit plant photosynthesis and disrupt the female luteinising hormone surge, which disrupts ovulation. Moreover, these chemicals can lead to negative outcomes, such as headaches, oxidative stress, and pollution. Only 1.0, 9.4, and 16.1% of the studies examined the impact of herbicides on human, animal, and environmental health, respectively. Similarly, only 11 studies (5.7%) investigated bioherbicide development in Nigeria, and only 2.6% tested for herbicide residues in crops. Nigeria desperately needs public education regarding the use of herbicides. One health intervention is urgently needed.