Useful resources
Useful resources and publications related to pesticide suicide prevention.
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Publications
Addressing Highly Hazardous Pesticides
Information about FAO’s work on HHPs.
Pesticide Registration Toolkit (HHPs)
A decision support system for pesticide registrars in developing countries.
Agroecology Knowledge Hub
Evidence, policies, practices and science on agroecology.
Family Farming Knowledge Platform: Phasing out Highly Hazardous Pesticides is possible
Farmer experiences in growing coffee without endosulfan.
Addressing Highly Hazardous Pesticides in Mozambique
The risk reduction process followed in Mozambique.
World Health Organisation (WHO) Publications
LIVE LIFE: An implementation guide for suicide prevention in countries
WHO’s approach to suicide prevention.
LIVE LIFE Initiative for Suicide Prevention
Links to relevant publications and resources.
WHO Suicide Prevention Resources
Factsheets, data and tools on suicide prevention.
The WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard and guidelines to classification, 2019 edition
A classification system to distinguish between the more and the less hazardous forms of selected pesticides based on acute risk to human health.
Infographic: it’s time to regulate Highly Hazardous Pesticides
Infographic sharing the dangers of HHPs and how regulation can have an impact.
Exposure to highly hazardous pesticides: a major public health concern
Policy brief on public health concerns related to HHPs (2019).
Menu of Cost-effective Interventions for Mental Health
A list of interventions for which information on cost-effectiveness is available.
Joint WHO & FAO Publications
Preventing suicide by phasing out highly hazardous pesticides
This brochure aims to provide a brief overview of the issue of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) and approaches to phasing out HHPs to save lives, particularly suicides.
International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management
The framework on pesticide management for all public and private entities engaged in, or associated with, production, regulation and management of pesticides.
International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management: Guidance on Use of Pesticide Regulation to Prevent Suicide
Guidelines on best practices for using regulation to prevent pesticide suicides, consistent with WHO’s recommendations and guidelines for suicide prevention.
International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management: Guidelines on Highly Hazardous Pesticides
Guidelines expanding upon the articles in the Code of Conduct (above).
Preventing suicide: a resource for pesticide registrars and regulators
Important approaches that pesticide registrars and regulators can take.
Detoxifying agriculture and health from highly hazardous pesticides: a call for action
The risks posed by HHPs, the possible alternatives and what can be done to phase them out and opt for more sustainable solutions.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
An Assessment Report on Issues of Concern: Chemicals and Waste Issues Posing Risks to Human Health and the Environment
Report to inform and support decision making at UNEA and other international forums working towards sound chemicals and waste management.
Guidelines on Alternatives to Highly Hazardous Pesticides
Guidelines to support the process of replacing HHPs and to provide information and reassurance that there are viable alternatives.
Pesticide Action Network (PAN)
Consolidated List of Banned Pesticides
A resource to identify which pesticides have been banned by particular countries.
Exploring Safer Alternatives to HHPs
A short guide to alternative methods to Highly Hazardous Pesticides.
Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)
Highly Hazardous Pesticides Knowledge Platform
SAICM publications, videos and details on how to join the Community of Practice.
Highly Hazardous Pesticides Video
A short video summarizing the dangers of highly hazardous pesticides.
SAICM Focal Points
Information on focal points and how to nominate.
International Agreements, with targets on HHPs
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022)
Decision 15/4, adopted during the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD).
Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) – for a Planet Free of Harm form Chemicals and Waste (2023)
Target A7, adopted at the Fifth International Conference of Chemicals Management (ICCM5).
Resolution UNEP/EA.6/L.14 (Highly Hazardous Pesticides) (2024)
Adopted at the the Sixth United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEP-6).
Journal Articles
How many premature deaths from pesticide suicide have occurred since the agricultural Green Revolution?
Citation: Karunarathne A, Gunnell D, Konradsen F, Eddleston M. How many premature deaths from pesticide suicide have occurred since the agricultural Green Revolution? Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2020; 58(4):227-232. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2019.1662433. Epub 2019 Sep 9. PMID: 31500467.
The global burden of fatal self-poisoning with pesticides 2006-15: Systematic review
Citation: Mew EJ, Padmanathan P, Konradsen F, Eddleston M, Chang S, Phillips MR, Gunnell D. The global burden of fatal self-poisoning with pesticides 2006-15: Systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2017; 219: 93-104. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.05.002.
The global distribution of acute unintentional pesticide poisoning: estimations based on a systematic review
Citation: Boedeker W, Watts M, Clausing P, Marquez E. The global distribution of acute unintentional pesticide poisoning: estimations based on a systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2020 Dec 7;20(1):1875. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-09939-0.
Preventing deaths from pesticide self-poisoning—learning from Sri Lanka’s success
Citation: Duleeka W Knipe DW, Gunnell D, Eddleston M. Preventing deaths from pesticide self-poisoning—learning from Sri Lanka’s success. The Lancet Global Health. 2017, 5 (7):651-652.
Do Targeted Bans of Insecticides to Prevent Deaths from Self-Poisoning Result in Reduced Agricultural Output?
Citation: Manuweera G, Eddleston M, Egodage S, Buckley NA. Do targeted bans of insecticides to prevent deaths from self-poisoning result in reduced agricultural output? Environ Health Perspect. 2008 Apr;116(4):492-5. doi: 10.1289/ehp.11029.
Bans of WHO Class I Pesticides in Bangladesh-suicide prevention without hampering agricultural output
Citation: Chowdhury FR, Dewan G, Verma VR, Knipe DW, Isha IT, Faiz MA, Gunnell DJ, Eddleston M. Bans of WHO Class I Pesticides in Bangladesh-suicide prevention without hampering agricultural output. Int J Epidemiol. 2018 Feb 1;47(1):175-184. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyx157.