Pesticides : Pesticides And Pesticides

One of the basic tenets of organic farming is to use as few pesticides as possible, therefore reducing the number of chemicals in the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, pesticides may have an impact on the body’s nervous or endocrine systems, affect the skin or eyes, and may also be carcinogens (“Human Health Issues”).

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

In the early 1940’s, a new technology emerged that was able to successfully combat crop-damaging and disease-carrying insects. A new age of synthetic chemical pesticides use arose. After their impressive success in fighting deadly insect-borne diseases during World War II, pesticides were used widely to combat insect pests for agriculture and public health. Few people challenged the benefits of the new scientific and technological products and many embraced pesticide use with enthusiasm. Despite its success, doubts about pesticide use began to appear a decade later in the 1950’s, when the government began a vigorous pesticide campaign across the country against insect pests. Scientists began reporting heavy losses of avian and

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

There are many things that enter our waterways that we have to clean out. One of the worst things is pesticides. They not only contaminate our water, but they are harmful to animals. It enters our water sources by seeping through the soil to groundwater or entering streams as surface run-off. Farmers and other workers try to keep our water safe from pesticides, but it is a very hard and stressful job. Let’s take a look at the ways that pesticides enter our water and also some possible solutions for this problem.

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

Pesticides could cause everyday complications such as headaches or nausea. Additionally, pesticides could cause the significantly worse cancer, reproductive harm, or endocrine disruption. According to Toxics Action Center, “There is also mounting evidence that exposure to pesticides disrupts the endocrine system,” they later added, “Endocrine disruption can produce infertility and a variety of birth defects and developmental defects in offspring” (“The Problem”). Endocrine disruption, one of the health concerns that could come from pesticides, should be especially concerning for soon-to-be parents. No parent wants to come to learn their child is hormonally imbalanced, has a behavioral disorder, or is impaired in brain development. While chemical pesticides are affecting their children’s growth, they could also be giving parents trouble of their own. Studies by the National Cancer Institute report, “American farmers, who in most respects are healthier than the population at large, had startling incidences of leukemia, Hodgkins disease, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and many other forms of cancer.” One would think there should be a ban on cancer-causing matter, yet because of the benefits, people continue using pesticides. Farmers, using the chemicals more than an average person, are often discovered to have cancers linked to their pesticide use. Are the benefits of pesticides really worth harm like this? Sure, it makes

The use of pesticides in the United States began after WWII. During this time there was no regulation on the use of pesticides such as DDT and other chemical compounds known as chlorinated hydrocarbons crystallized in 1962. Pesticides usage is at an astronomical 850 million pounds a year. Pesticides are also sold for home use as well, this poses a main health concern to the general public who are unaware of the potential hazards of selling pesticides.

Karr and Council of Environmental Health. “Pesticide Exposure in Children.” Pediatrics 130.6 (2006): e1765-e1788. Web. 9 Oct 2015. . This article introduces types of pesticides that are exposed and harmful to children. Different examples of pesticides are classified and explained for its common use. Children are exposed to pesticides through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. However, the most common and unintentional way to be exposed to pesticides is through ingestion in the food we eat. The article shows statistical values on the level of pesticides in fruits, vegetables, and grain products. The authors also point out that water can be contaminated with pesticides which is harmful for children. Clinical signs and symptoms of toxicity to pesticides is also addressed in the article. I will use this article to argue that levels of pesticides in non organic food is threatening to

By not using multiple chemicals to control crops, organic farming also ends up being better for the environment. Organic farmers use natural fertilizers such as manure so that they do not release artificial chemicals into the ground (“Organic Food”). In June of 1999 a report made by the U.S. Geologic Survey, found that most waterways and ground water supplies in both urban and rural areas contained enough pesticides to endanger aquatic life (“pesticides”). These chemicals can also leak into streams and encourage the growth of algae and intoxicate the water (“298 John P. Reganold et.al”). Furthermore studies have found that water contaminated with pesticides may accumulate in the

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

Over two-thirds of the plant (planet I assume?) is covered by it, and humans will die within 3 to 7 days without it. Water is the most precious resource on the planet, but can also be taken for granted especially in first-world countries where it is always available at the faucet. This modern marvel of having clean water so easily accessible is threatened by another modern invention, the application of pesticides. While pesticides have narrowed the gap between actual yield and yield potential in our conventional crops, they are also a source of nontarget poisoning responsible for fish kills, reproductive failures in birds, and human illnesses (Arias-Estevez et al, 2007). In fact, only about 0.1% of pesticides actually reach their targeted pest (Pimentel, 1995). Most pesticide ends up in the environment where it is transported or degraded through volatilization, runoff into surface water and groundwater, or taken up by nontarget organisms (van der Werf, 1996). The movement of pesticides into groundwater poses a grave threat to the health of our communities. According to a 1999 USGS survey, around 50% of water samples collected from wells contained at least one pesticide (Arias-Estevez et al, 2007). In Ohio, a well testing program started by the Water Quality Laboratory of Heidelberg College found that wells were contaminated most frequently by atrazine and alachlor, albeit at very low levels and in less than 5% of wells (Baker, 1990). There is a need to identify pesticide

Everyone needs food to survive and without food one will die. Food in it natural state supplies energy for our bodies by supplying vitamins and carbohydrates. Over a span of decades, the world has seen an alarming increased with the use of chemicals in food. From pesticides being sprayed on crops, antibiotics used on poultry, and hormones being injected or given to the cattle expose unsuspecting consumers to contaminants that become part of their bodies. For examples, let’s focus on pesticides and GMOs (Genetically modified organisms); some pesticides and herbicides used on the food we eat have been identified as human or animal carcinogens. Pesticide, substances meant for attracting, and then destroying pests and are used as plant

Out of cereal? Need a new t-shirt? Craving some sugar? Immediately, our minds think that it’s time for a shopping trip. But where do the malls and supermarkets get their goods from? Wheat, cotton, sugarcane, and rice are a few of the major exports from India’s $39 billion dollar agriculture industry (Flake 2014). However, this high output of crops does not come without a cost. Pesticides provide economic benefits by enhancing the yield of food as well as preventing vector-borne diseases, but they do so at a risk to the health of India’s farmers. Unfortunately, the chemical properties of pesticides that make them effective in their purpose of destroying the insects and pests that feed on crops are the same chemical properties that have a negative effect on human health. Agriculture accounts for about 50% of India’s workforce, yet many of these laborers are in contact with potentially toxic chemicals day after day with little effort to minimize their exposure risks (Flake, 2014). This issue does not only concern India’s farmers, but also has an impact on a global scale. Worldwide consumption of India’s crops that are produced from excessive or harmful pesticide usage and environmental consequences make this a problem that everyone should be aware of.

Secondly, the pesticides and fertilizers are the largest damages for the pollution. The pesticides must be perishing pests immediately to protect the agricultural and seed. Mainly used for the prevention and control of agricultural pests and urban health pests. They have large dosage and many varieties. In the 20th century, as long as the rapid development of agriculture, the pesticides can raise the agriculture production. However, almost all the pesticides can seriously change the ecological system and they are most harmful to human’s health. The other will be