Integrated Pests Management: A Safe Alternative to Hazardous 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

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.

It has been a prime location for studies to be conducted by health organizations to see if there are any links to the pesticide usage occurring along with people living in the vicinity of where it is being used. ARTICLE PESTICDES STUDY (Kehoe) The study correlates a link between certain chemicals that are used in the manufacturing of pesticides and these chemical ORGANOCHLORINES to Alzheimer’s disease along with many autism related defects between children. Children are who we try to keep safe as they are the young and will be our future. Pregnant women living in pesticide applied areas were more likely to have a child with birth defects as the chemicals are absorbed through the air and can reach the fetus via the bloodstream. These are also the most susceptible to these chemicals being used by farmers and the by the produce they

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

On the contrary, many may argue that even though organic food at times possess such threats they do not come close to comparing to the threats possessed by chemically treated foods. Researchers such as Joanna Jurewicz, believe that children being exposed to pesticides at any time during foetal life will have some type of health effect. She addressed that each year “almost 50,000 children are poisoned annually by exposure to pesticides” (Jurewicz 71), while emphasizing that the most common health effects are on foetus and young children. She proposed that all acute exposures to pesticides cause “skin irritation, lesions in the respiratory tract, and severe toxic neurologic effects”, in long exposure she blames their constant motive to put everything in their mouth and their immature detoxification systems with how they are the easy target for pesticides and chemical

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

Chemicals such as weed killer or miracle grow, do we really know what all chemicals are in those containers? The majority of us have no clue, or have never stopped to take into consideration what is being sprayed on our food or in our yards around our families. Pesticides for instance were meant to kill pest, not people and our wildlife. Each year hundreds or thousands of people become ill due to the use or consumption of pesticides and other chemicals. Our young children are the most vulnerable, rather than the adult, children tend to play outside and are closer to the ground where these chemicals are sprayed, which is harmful for their bodies. According to a report by the National Academies in 1993 they stated, “depending on dose, some pesticides can cause a range of adverse effects on human health, including cancer, acute and chronic injury to the nervous system, lung damage, reproductive dysfunction, and possibly dysfunction of the endocrine and immune systems." We as the children of God must take a stand and demand change on these chemicals that are harming each and every one of

Can there be side effects from consuming chemicals on our fruits and vegetables now or later down the road? According to an 18-month study of sperm samples from 155 men who ate fruits and veggies with pesticides on them had a 49 % lower total sperm count and 32% fewer sperm that were shaped normally. Compared that to the group of men who ate the pesticide-free produce these men had normal shaped sperm and count. The more pesticides a man had exposure to the more sperm he had that were deformed. Oaklander, (2015). To me, this looks like an example of side effects of eating chemicals on our fruits and veggies. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Children are especially at risk as the child's diet is the dominant source of exposure to pesticides Bauers, (2014, May 12). I have my own suspicions about how exposure to these chemicals could affect the children of this generation. I have found no sources to back this up except for my personal experience working with children. What if some of the mental, physical, and learning disabilities that the children of this generation are suffering from are from exposure to the chemicals that they are eating on their fruits and vegetables. I have noticed that when the parents of these children take them off of the conventional fruits and veggies and start having them eating the organic varieties. Some of the symptoms of their disabilities disappear, On the other hand, if they get off of the organic varieties and back onto the conventional varieties of the symptoms come back full

The majority of the risk of toxicity in humans revolves around the farm workers, because most the excessive exposure to chemicals is when preparing and applying them (Damalas & Elefther). Unintentional or unknown risks can also be a significant worry. According to another study, organic honey was evaluated. Samples from an organic honey bee hive were analyzed and found to have more than 150 different pesticides, accounting for the three to four mile radius of the bees' flight (Al-Waili, Salom, Al-Ghamdi, & Ansari, 2012). This would result in an unknown or unrealized toxicity, even without significant mistakes in application. When considering the availability to access of these chemicals is usually related to farm workers, it is understandable

The follow up commentary on the statement in the report is not forgiving, but further explains that when tested on animals, cancer was sure. The results of the test confirm that application to skin will result in cancer, and that swallowing and inhalation is highly poisonous (EPA, 1986). Further studies done with animals proved that exposure to dichloropropene led to cancers affecting all organs of urinary, digestive and respiratory systems (EPA, 1986). Some people might discount the findings of these studies on animals because humans and animals might metabolize chemicals differently. However, the adverse effects on the animals are so severe that it cannot be denied that the pesticide is poisonous. The EPA reported in 1986 that workers (those who would apply the pesticide in the fields) may be exposed to dichloropropene in the range of 0.15 to 23.99 mg/year (EPA,

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

Americans should also take caution using pesticides because of the effects they can have on other animals. In the article “The Spraying of America”, it was found that pesticides had made their way into almost everything, including humans, animals and even mother's breast milk

The use of pesticides have been dated back to over 4,500 years ago, when the Sumerians used sulphur compounds to protect crops from mites and insects (1). The use of pesticides are abundant in the United States and globally. The United States accounted for over one billion pounds of pesticide use in both 2000 and 2001, with over five billions pounds used worldwide in each year (2). The United States accounted for approximately 23% of the global use of pesticides. Pesticides have long been used and will continue to be used. There are strict regulations that govern the creation, reformulation, sell, and use of pesticides. Even with these strict standards, there have been pesticides authorized on used that cause adverse effects to health and/or the environment. These adverse effects have been discovered through varies methods such as toxicological profiles, exposures assessments, epidemiological studies, etc.

Agriculture is the keystone of the Indian economy. Ensuring food security for more than1 billion Indian populations with diminishing cultivable land resource is a herculean task. This necessitates use of high yielding variety of seeds, balance use of fertilizers, judicious use of quality pesticides along with education to farmers and the use of modern farming techniques. It is estimated that India approximately loses 18 percent of the crop yield valued at Rs.900 billion due to pest attack each year. The use of pesticides help to reduce the crop losses, provide economic benefits to farmers, reduce soil erosion and helping ensuring food safety & security for the nation. The Pesticide Management Bill 2008 defines “Pesticide” as,