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spreading pesticide.]] The U.S , 2006 A pesticide may be a Chemical substance, biological agent (such as a virus or bacteria), antimicrobial, disinfectant or device used against Pest s including Insect s, plant Pathogen s, weeds, Mollusk s, Bird s, Mammal s, Fish , nematodes ( Roundworm s) and Microbe s that compete with humans for food, destroy property, spread or are a Vector for disease or are a nuisance. Many pesticides are Poison ous to humans. TYPES OF PESTICIDES
Pesticides can also be classed as synthetic pesticides or biological pesticides, although the distinction can sometimes blur. A systemic pesticide moves inside a plant following absorption by the plant. This movement is usually upward (through the xylem) and outward. Increased efficiency may be a result. Systemic insecticides which poison Pollen and Nectar in the Flower s may kill needed Pollinater s. HISTORY Since before 2500 BC , humans have used pesticides to prevent damage to their crops. The first known pesticide was elemental Sulfur dusting used in Sumeria about 4,500 years ago. By the 15th Century , toxic chemicals such as Arsenic , Mercury and Lead were being applied to crops to kill pests. In the 17th Century , Nicotine Sulfate was extracted from Tobacco leaves for use as an insecticide. The 19th Century saw the introduction of two more natural pesticides, Pyrethrum which is derived from Chrysanthemum s, and Rotenone which is derived from the roots of tropical Vegetables .Miller, G. Tyler Jr. (2002). Living in the Environment (12th Ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. In 1939 , Paul Müller discovered that DDT was a very effective insecticide. It quickly became the most widely-used pesticide in the world. However, in the 1960s , it was discovered that DDT was preventing many fish-eating birds from reproducing which was a huge threat to Biodiversity . Rachel Carson wrote the best-selling book '' Silent Spring '' about Biological Magnification . DDT is now banned in at least 86 countries, but it is still used in some developing nations to prevent Malaria and other tropical diseases by killing Mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects. Lobe, J., "WHO urges DDT for Malaria Control Strategies," Sept 16, 2006, Inter Press Service, cited from Commondreams.org Pesticide use has increased 50-fold since 1950 , and 2.5 million tons of industrial pesticides are now used each year.Miller, G. Tyler Jr. (2002). Living in the Environment (12th Ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. REGULATION In most countries, in order to sell or use a pesticide, it must be approved by a government agency. For example, in the United States , the EPA does so. Complex and costly studies must be conducted to indicate whether the material is effective against the intended pest and safe to use. During the registration process, a label is created which contains directions for the proper use of the material. Based on acute toxicity, pesticides are assigned to a Toxicity Class . Intentional Pesticide Misuse is illegal worldwide. {Link without Title} Some pesticides are considered too Hazard ous for sale to the general public and are designated Restricted Use Pesticides . Only certified applicators, who have passed an exam, may purchase or supervise the application of restricted use pesticides. Records of sales and use are required to be maintained and may be audited by government agencies charged with the enforcement of pesticide regulations. "Read and follow label directions" is a phrase often quoted by extension agents, garden columnists and others teaching about pesticides. This is not merely good advice; it is the law, at least in the U.S. Similar laws exist in limited parts of the rest of the world. The to do so intentionally. {Link without Title} EFFECTS OF PESTICIDE USE On the environment Pesticides have been found to pollute virtually every lake, river and stream in the to study movement and fate of chemicals in rivers and streams. As early as the 1970s quantitative analysis of pesticide Runoff was conducted in order to predict amounts of pesticide that would reach surface waters.C.M Hogan, Leda Patmore, Gary Latshaw, Harry Seidman et al. '' Computer Model ing of pesticide transport in soil for five instrumented watersheds'', U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Southeast Water laboratory, Athens, Ga. by ESL Inc. , Sunnyvale, California (1973) Pesticides are strongly implicated in Pollinator Decline , including through the mechanism of Colony Collapse Disorder . Nitrogen Fixation , which is required for the growth of Higher Plant s, is hindered by pesticides in soil. The insecticides DDT , Methyl Parathion , and especially Pentachlorophenol have been shown to interfere with Legume - Rhizobium Chemical Signal ing. Root Nodule formation in these plants saves the world economy $10 billion in synthetic nitrogen Fertiliser every year.4 The use of pesticides also decreases the general biodiversity in the soil. Not using them results in higher soil quality5 with the additional effect that more life in the soil allows for higher water retention. This helps increase yields for farms in Drought years, when organic farms have had yields 20-40% higher than their conventional counterparts.6 On farmers There have been many studies of farmers with the goal of determining the health effects of pesticide exposure. 7 Research in Bangladesh suggests that many farmers do not need to apply pesticide to their rice fields, but continue to do so only because the pesticide is paid for by the government. {Link without Title} Organophosphate pesticides have increased in use, because they are less damaging to the environment and they are less persistent than organochlorine pesticides.Jaga K, Dharmani C. 2003. Sources of exposure to and public health implications of organophosphate pesticides. Pan Am J Public Health 14(3):171–185. These are associated with acute health problems such as abdominal pain, dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, as well as skin and eye problems.Ecobichon DJ. 1996. Toxic effects of pesticides. In: Casarett and Doull's Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons (Klaassen CD, Doull J, eds). 5th ed. New York:MacMillan, 643–689. Additionally, many studies have indicated that pesticide exposure is associated with long-term health problems such as respiratory problems, memory disorders, dermatologic conditions,Arcury TA, Quandt SA, Mellen BG. 2003. An exploratory analysis of occupational skin disease among Latino migrant and seasonal farmworkers in North Carolina. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health 9(3):221–32.O'Malley MA. 1997. Skin reactions to pesticides. Occupational Medicine 12:327–345. cancer,Daniels JL, Olshan AF, Savitz DA. 1997. Pesticides and childhood cancers. Environmental Health Perspectives 105: 1068–1077. depression, neurologic deficits,8 Firestone JA, Smith-Weller T, Franklin G, Swanson P, Longsteth WT, Checkoway H. 2005. Pesticides and risk of Parkinson disease: a population-based case-control study. Archives of Neurology 62(1):91–95. miscarriages, and birth defects. Engel LS, O'Meara ES, Schwartz SM. 2000. Maternal occupation in agriculture and risk of limb defects in Washington State, 1980-1993. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health 26(3): 193–198 Cordes DH, Rea DF. 1988. Health hazards of farming. American Family Physician 38:233–243 Das R, Steege A, Baron S, Beckman J, Harrison R. 2001. Pesticide-related illness among migrant farm workers in the United States. Int J Occup Environ Health 7: 303–312 Eskenazi B, Bradman A, Castorina R. 1999. Exposures of children to organophosphate pesticides and their potential adverse health effects. Environmental Health Perspectives 107 (suppl 3):409–419 Garcia AM. 2003. Pesticide exposure and women's health. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 44(6):584–594. Moses M. 1989. Pesticide-related health problems and farmworkers. AAOHN 37:115–130 Schwartz DA, Newsum LA, Heifetz RM. 1986. Parental occupational and birth outcome in an agricultural community. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health 12:51–54 Stallones L, Beseler C. 2002. Pesticide illness, farm practices, and neurological symptoms among farm residents in Colorado. Environ Res 90:89–97 Strong, LL, Thompson B, Coronado GD, Griffith WC, Vigoren EM, Islas I. 2004. Health symptoms and exposure to organophosphate pesticides in farmworkers. Am J Ind Med 46:599–606 Van Maele-Fabry G, Willems JL. 2003. Occupation related pesticide exposure and cancer of the prostate: a meta-analysis . Occupational and Environmental Medicine 60(9): 634–642 Summaries of peer-reviewed research have examined the link between pesticide exposure and neurologic outcomes and cancer, perhaps the two most significant things resulting in organophosphate-exposed workers. Alavanja MC, Hoppin JA, Kamel F. 2004. Health effects of chronic pesticide exposure: cancer and neurotoxicity. Annu Rev Public Health 25:155–197. Kamel F, Hoppin JA. 2004. Association of pesticide exposure with neurologic dysfunction and disease. Environ Health Perspect 112:950–958. On consumers A study published by the (food grown without synthetic pesticides). In this study it was found that levels of Organophosphorus pesticide exposure dropped dramatically and immediately when the children switched to an organic diet 9. PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN FOOD The Pesticide Data Program , a program started by the United States Department Of Agriculture is the largest tester of pesticide residues on food sold in the United States. It began in 1990, and has since tested over 60 different types of food for over 400 different types of pesticides - with samples collected close to the point of consumption. Their most recent summary results are from the year 2005: |
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