Regulatory action on an acutely toxic pesticide will save thousands of lives and protect brain health worldwide
Globally it is estimated 1 in 5 suicides are attributable to the ingestion of acutely toxic pesticides. Many of these deaths are easily preventable and occur in rural communities across Africa, Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands. Long-term exposure to toxic pesticides has also been linked to brain health and neurological risks among agricultural workers, and neurodevelopmental disorders among children. In September 2026, Bangladesh and India declared national bans on paraquat, regarded as one of the most dangerous agricultural chemicals due to its severe toxicity and links with suicide, Parkinson disease, and risk to farmer occupational safety. With this historic public health decision, Bangladesh and India join over 70 countries that have prohibited paraquat.
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be impulsive and often occur during moments of acute distress. In these critical moments, easy access to a highly lethal means like paraquat can make the difference between life and death. Restricting access to lethal means of suicide is highly effective because it allows crucial time for suicidal thoughts to pass and the opportunity to intervene, preventing numerous potentially fatal actions. Evidence from a number of countries including the Republic of Korea, Malaysia and Sri Lanka demonstrate that national bans on paraquat and other acutely toxic pesticides have resulted in substantial reductions in pesticide-related suicides and overall suicide rates, without harming agricultural productivity.
Based on international evidence, national regulatory action on paraquat in Bangladesh and India is anticipated to save thousands of lives and protect brain health. These momentous actions build on years of tireless work across government, civil society, academia, community, and the health sector, including WHO. WHO, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, have produced critical resources to support pesticide regulators in phasing out the use of acutely toxic pesticides linked to suicide, including the International code of conduct on pesticide management: guidance on pesticide regulation to prevent suicide , the brochure Preventing suicide by phasing out highly hazardous pesticide , as well as a resource booklet Preventing suicide: a resource for pesticide registrars and regulators . In addition, a WHO study demonstrated that national bans on acutely toxic pesticides are among the most cost-effective interventions for mental health and have been included in WHO’s Menu of cost-effective interventions for mental health .
Global momentum to phase out highly hazardous pesticides
Over the last decade, the phasing out of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) from agriculture has gained increasing momentum in several international fora. HHPs refer to a small number of pesticides that cause disproportionate harm to human health and the environment. In 2023, a resolution on chemicals was adopted which included to address HHPs at the Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly, and in 2026, official and external side events at the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly were held highlighting the need to take action on acutely toxic HHPs for suicide prevention. In November 2026, the First International Conference of the Global Framework on Chemicals will take place to advance key global targets on chemicals including the phasing out of HHPs from agriculture. The regulatory actions taken by Bangladesh and India represent a significant step towards this target and sets an important precedent for the rest of the world. Removing acutely toxic pesticides from circulation protects agricultural workers, children, and individuals in distress, advancing brain health and preventing suicide.
