Advantage And Disadvantages Of Pesticides

What has been brought to light in recent years is the effects of these chemicals on the body’s immune response. By introducing these toxic chemicals into the body, the potency of the immune system is compromised. More commonly than not, the body’s magnificent defense system will kick in and destroy foreign invaders but all it can take is an overwhelming amount of chemicals to slow or even shut down the body’s response systems. A large amount of these types of chemicals introduced into the body at one time would be considered acute toxicity and could even cause death. Additionally, a small amount of these poisonous substances brought into the body over a long period would be considered chronic toxicity and can have detrimental effects on the body’s natural response (Hoernschemeyer 55-57). This information is startling enough to want to make a change from conventionally grown food to pesticide-free organic

Some research studies show that these chemicals are also the cause of birth defects in children. With the increase in the use of these chemicals, there will be an increase in birth defects. According to research done by the University of California, pregnant mothers who live within a mile away from crops that are sprayed with pesticides are more likely to develop autism in their babies. If the use of pesticides continues to grow, one day the human race with completely diminish.

To understand pesticides, we must look at the facts about them. According to the EPA, pesticides are chemicals specifically designed and sold to prevent, destroy, or repel pests from garden, greenhouses, fields, and orchards (Learn About Chemicals Around Your House). Charlotte Gerber’s article, How Do Pesticides Kill Bugs, explained that pesticides targets insects and kills them by attacking the nervous system and then when the muscles are over-stimulated, this will lead to paralysis and death. The effect of the organophosphates that cause that in pesticides was discovered in the 1930's during World War II. They were used in the creation of nerve gas, which was used in chemical warfare. When used in lethal dosages for humans, organophosphates cause extreme excitability, convulsions, paralysis and in most cases, death (Gerber). According to Effects of Pesticides on Human Health, The World Health Organization estimates that there are 3 million cases of pesticide poisoning each year and up to 220,000 deaths, primarily in developing countries (Lah and Glibert 2011). Children, and any other young and developing organisms, are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticides. Even very low levels of exposure during development may have adverse health effects. Exposure can even lead to neurological health effects such as memory loss, loss of

Symptoms of pesticide poisoning are often deceptively misdiagnosed as flu or allergies. Other problems associated with the use of chemicals include headaches, nausea, fever, breathing difficulties, high blood pressure, and temporary paralysis. The National Academy of Sciences reports that at least one out of seven people are significantly harmed by pesticide exposure each year (American Defender Network, 1989). Unfortunately, due to the high costs of inspection, tests for pesticide poisoning are rarely performed.

Anything that is consumed by an organism inherits some of the properties of what it has consumed. Pesticides are beneficial chemicals to farmers as they provide profits for them and less work, effort, and time to deal with the problem affecting their crops. This process can be harmful to humans as they are consuming products which were sprayed by these harmful chemicals and therefore ingesting part of those chemicals. ARTICLE CITATION according to

As stated from a survey at Harvard University, there are 20,000 people a year are reported to be suspected of pesticide poisoning in the United States. Out of all these people reported, only 10% of them are actually admitted to a hospital. Around the world, there are about 200,000 people who die from pesticide poisoning in a year. Children are more susceptible to pesticide poisonings since they are usually playing in areas closer to the ground and where pesticides are. By playing near these hazardous chemicals, their bodies can be permanently damaged. Some perceptual effects children may get include damage to the brain, reproductive organs, nervous system, lung, and the endocrine and immune systems (Pesticides: What You Need to Know). The risk increases depending on how exposed the children are; children living on farms are more likely to develop these problems (Agricultural Health Study). Even the flea and tick products put on pets have the capability to harm youths the same way regular pesticides used outside do (Pesticides: What You Need to Know). Although children are more likely to be affected by pesticides, it does not mean that adults are free from its dangers. In adults, those who are exposed to pesticides can get various types of cancers and diseases. More exposure to it causes a higher rate of being diagnosed with leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and soft tissue sarcoma, as well as

This scholarly text book, part of a series called Current Controversies, is composed of primary sources taken from a diversity of informational categories including books, newspapers, periodicals, international government documents, and the publications of organizations. The authors in this series examine some of the issues that typical arise in the debate about pesticides, including whether they are detrimental to human health, animals and the environment, whether they are essential to curtailing international hunger, and what the future of pesticides might be. This book widely mirrors the mosaic of opinions in both parts of the debate regarding the benefits and harmful effects

This suggests that the roadsides was once beautiful and bloomed with healthy and lively vegetation; however, they are now destroyed due to the use of pesticides. From these examples, it can be shown that even though pesticide is beneficial, its deadly effects outweigh its benefits; in addition, it is a dangerous substances to the environment, organisms, and even human.

The chemical pesticides used in farming affect the quality of water because of run off which then go into lakes or rivers. In chapter four, Carson concentrates on the water pollution caused by pesticides. The pollution can be unsafe for use and causes fish to die. An example used is a study done by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 1960 that showed that “our waters have become almost universally contaminated with insecticides.” (pg.41) The pesticides are especially threatening to groundwater which is an important source of drinking water for humans. Consequently, the chemicals in pesticides can cause cancer and other harm effects on our health. Another issue is that the pesticides in water and can mix with other chemicals and become a new chemical. Therefore, it can lead to the creation of an unknown chemical with harmful

Pesticides are heavily used by golf courses, as it is the same case with some parks and schools. Consumers face issues of pesticide exposure in water and food residues. For example, 94% of herbicide atrazine is found United States drinking water which is always tested by USDA. Therefore, the widespread and long term exposure to pesticides has got so many tremendous ecological effects over the years, starting from weed and pest resistance up to environmental contamination (Hakeem et al, 2017). Excessive intake of pesticides may perhaps lead to acts of biodiversity destruction. Numerous birds, aquatic animals and organisms are all under the risk of harmful and hazardous pesticides to their living. Pesticides are becoming concern of sustainability both global and environmental stability. It has been discovered that pesticides should be recovered from all Major River and water bank systems, and even from all groundwater streams. This is because residues from pesticide chemicals usually linger in the soil and they can spend there dozen years (Carson & Rachel, 2002). Pesticide chemicals enter and get lodged into fish bodies, reptiles, birds and wild and domestic animals. Frequent use of pesticides damages most fertile agricultural lands through harming the useful soil microorganisms, insect species and worms that limit pest populations naturally and

Pesticides also have a great affect on the food we consume. Food is one of the great necessities of life. Yet, a growing amount of evidence indicates that the food supply is being contaminated with pesticides (Mott & Snyder vii). These pesticides are most commonly

It is also shown that pesticides are partly responsible for the rising cancer rates and birth defects among children (“Pesticides”).

One concern about pesticides and herbicide usage is the amount of residues left on the end product of crops sprayed with the chemicals, and their effects on human health. (Williamson, 2007, p. 184). However, these effects are closely tested and levels are strictly regulated to ensure there is no danger from possible pesticide residues. Since 1910, many rules, regulations, and agencies have been formed to monitor the safety of the pesticides and herbicides used in conventional farming. These chemicals must meet specific safety standards in order to be registered for use, and regulations on levels of each product safe for use are also put in place. (Tafel et al.,2007, p.184). All pesticides are rigorously examined to ensure they have no significant effects on human health, or the environment. The residues in the food chain are closely monitored, and regularly tested, to ensure they are below legal limits. In a recent survey of residues

pesticides end up ruining the complete area and stripping it of the natural beauty of the land. The

In this reference work by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Community Outreach & Education Program, I gathered information mostly about pesticides used in conventional farming techniques. With their concentration on pesticides the EHP gave information about the different effects of pesticides on organic and conventional foods. Providing even