A Legal Analysis of Farmer Protection Against the Biological and Molecular Health Impacts of Pesticide Exposure

The use of pesticides in the agricultural sector plays an important role in controlling plant pests; however, continuous exposure may pose biological and health risks to farmers and contribute to environmental pollution. This study aims to analyze the biological and molecular impacts of pesticide exposure on farmers’ health and its implications for legal protection. This research employed a socio-legal approach within an empirical juridical framework. Primary data were obtained through hematological profile and DNA quality examinations of 16 pesticide-exposed farmers, while secondary data were collected through literature review and analysis of laws and regulations concerning health, farmer protection, and environmental protection. The results showed that the respondents’ hemoglobin levels ranged from 12.3–16.8 g/dL, leukocyte counts from 4.9–11.4 ×10³/µL, and platelet counts from 136–389 ×10³/µL. Although most hematological parameters remained within normal ranges, several respondents exhibited relatively low hemoglobin levels, elevated leukocyte counts, and platelet counts approaching thrombocytopenia. DNA quality analysis showed concentrations ranging from 472.5–2,047.5 ng/µL; however, most samples had A260/A280 ratios below the ideal DNA purity range, indicating the need for further purification prior to NFKB1 gene expression analysis. From a legal perspective, regulations concerning health, farmer protection, and environmental protection are already available, but their implementation has not provided optimal protection, particularly in terms of health biomonitoring and pesticide-use supervision. Therefore, stronger legal protection is required through a One Health approach that integrates health, agriculture, environmental, and legal aspects and is supported by evidence-based health examinations and biomonitoring.