Our Work
What we do
Our work aims to identify lethal pesticides responsible for suicides and end their use through regulatory action – banning and phasing them out. We work in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) with national pesticide regulators, public health researchers and civil society.
Country and regional work
Where we work
Click on the teardrop icons to find out more about our project work within individual countries.
We also support regional action on highly toxic pesticides. We have developed collaborations with five regional pesticide regulatory bodies in in Asia, Caribbean, West Africa, East Africa, and Southern Africa.
Pakistan
We are currently working with the University of Multan to undertake research on the nature and extent of pesticide suicides in Pakistan. This has involved a survey on cases of intentional and occupational poisoning over the last five years.
In 2023, we published findings from a study that aimed to identify the pesticides responsible for suicide deaths in Pakistan.
Bangladesh
CPSP is working in collaboration with an FAO project on pesticide risk reduction in Bangladesh.
We are also supporting a large-scale clinical trial, exploring new treatments for patients with organophosphorus or carbamate poisoning. The trial is coordinated by the Toxicology Society of Bangladesh (TSB) and the University of Edinburgh.
China
CPSP has ongoing collaborations with pesticide regulators and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC).
Recent research shows a 60% fall in pesticide suicides between 2006 and 2018, following the introduction of regulations to remove access to some acutely toxic highly hazardous pesticides.
India
India has one of the highest rates of pesticide suicide in the world and is a priority country for CPSP work.
Our India-based team are working closely with policymakers and research institutes at both central and state level to support pesticide regulation, collect data on pesticide poisoning cases, and measure impact from existing bans.
Nepal
CPSP has been working in Nepal since 2017. Our initial work aimed to identify the pesticides responsible for the majority of pesticide suicides in Nepal. In 2019, Nepal banned eight pesticides, including two identified by our study.
We are now undertaking data collection to monitor the impact of the 2019 bans on health and agriculture. We are also conducting research in farming communities to understand how successes and challenges of implementation.
CPSP is also supporting work by WHO in Nepal to develop training for Plant Protection Officers.
Sri Lanka
CPSP Director Professor Michael Eddleston has carried out extensive research in Sri Lanka over the last two decades. Sri Lanka’s pesticide regulations have contributed to one of the greatest falls in suicide rates ever seen in the world, falling by more than 70% since 1995.
We are currently supporting a large trial testing whether gate-keeping training for pesticide vendors is an effective way to reduce pesticide self-poisoning in rural Asia. If found to be effective, the training will be introduced more widely worldwide.
We are also supporting epidemiological research, exploring trends in methods of poisoning and suicide rates in Sri Lanka.
Suriname
We are working in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) on a project aimed at preventing pesticide suicides in Suriname.
Tanzania
We are working with the Government of Tanzania to strengthen national capacity for highly hazardous pesticide (HHP) management, with a focus on suicide prevention.
Uganda
We are collaborating with Makerere University School of Public Health, to identify pesticides used in acts of self-poisoning between 2017-2021.
The study includes a review of highly hazardous pesticides registered in Uganda, with the aim to remove the most problematic pesticides from agriculture.
Zimbabwe
We are working with the Government of Zimbabwe to strengthen national capacity for highly hazardous pesticide (HHP) management, with a focus on suicide prevention.
Special interest projects
In addition to our country and regional work, CPSP also supports a number of special interest projects.
Human rights
We engage with human rights experts and institutions to raise awareness of the human rights issues associated with pesticide poisoning.
Commercial determinants of health
We support academic research into the ways that commercial actors can impact health and the environment.
Role of alcohol
We undertake research to better understand the role of alcohol in self-harm and pesticide suicide.
Identifying alternatives
We help to identify alternative pest control measures for different crop and pest combinations.
Implementation of bans
We collect and share experiences of replacing highly toxic pesticides with less toxic pest control measures.
Public health guidelines
We work closely with relevant UN agencies to support the development of guidelines for data collection and treatment of poisoned patients.
