Long-term exposure to pesticides may be damaging the brains and mental health of older farmers in West Bengal, according to a new study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research. Researchers say the findings are a serious warning for rural India, where chemical-heavy farming is widespread and safety practices remain minimal.
The study was conducted 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 agriculture still the norm, the authors cautioned that the hidden burden of neurological and mental-health disorders could rise sharply without urgent preventive action.
Researchers surveyed 808 residents aged 50 and above in the Galsi II block of Purba Bardhaman district, a region that reflects the broader rural profile of West Bengal, where nearly 69 per cent of people live in villages and depend on farming. All participants had lived in the area for at least five years, and the authors say that despite the limited sample size, the findings offer a reliable snapshot of common neurological and neuroinflammatory conditions in rural communities.
More than one in five participants – 180 people – showed signs of cognitive problems, depression or possible movement disorders. Cognitive issues ranged from memory and reasoning difficulties to problems with attention and overall thinking ability. Notably, 12.5 per cent had only cognitive impairment, a proportion higher than what has been reported in many urban elderly studies from southern and northern India, and comparable to urban data from eastern India, suggesting that rural populations may be equally or more vulnerable.
The study found that exposure to pesticides played a critical role. Those who handled pesticides regularly were almost three times more likely to develop neurological or mental health issues than those with minimal or no exposure. The risk increased further among farmers who had been exposed for over 30 years or who sprayed pesticides at least once a week. Individuals engaged solely in agricultural work recorded the poorest memory scores, faced greater difficulty with daily activities and reported higher levels of depression.
Experts say the findings are consistent with existing scientific evidence linking pesticides to brain disorders. Dr Manjari Tripathi, head of the neurology department at AIIMS, noted that pesticides have long been associated with neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s dementia and related disorders, stressing that both the magnitude and duration of exposure are key determinants of risk.
The researchers warn that without immediate policy attention and stronger safeguards in farming practices, India’s rural elderly could face a growing burden of memory loss, depression and disability directly tied to decades of unregulated pesticide use.
