The Destructive Use Of Pesticides In Silent Spring By Rachel Carson

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

Also depicted in this paper is the type of cancers caused by each chemical and other related health problems associated with each chemical. Finally, the role of government agencies such as FDA, EPA and OSHA in preventing excessive amount or zero amounts of toxic chemicals from entering the environment will be discussed. The last paragraphs will enumerate the inferred conclusion from my research on Agent Orange, DDT and Benzene.

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.

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

Humans have a tendency to afflict conflict and havok away from their own living quarters in order to reduce casualties in whatever the conflict may be so that their homeland remains pure and untouched. Given that America has one of strictest health and clean up regulations in the world they tend to follow the Chinese proverb: “the frog does not drink from the pond in which it lives.” The pond that is being talked about here is a nation’s natural resources that are necessary for survival. Instead of ravaging their own land and extract it, America tends to seek out other countries that are able to perform methods of growing crops that would otherwise be illegal in America. Because of America’s role in the world, they are able to expose other countries to ravage their own resources instead of their own.

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.

After discovering this book through my AP Environmental Science class and my AP United States History class, I chose to read Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. I have a strong passion for science. With that being said, I also have a yearning to develop a connection to the outside world. It seems that in today’s society, many individuals are ignorant to how the world functions and how living and nonliving organisms interact. However, it is not entirely these individuals’ fault. In fact, many people are not aware of how we, as a species, are able coexist in a world of many different beings—both abiotic and biotic. Therefore, in order to combat the status quo of subjective norms, I have read Silent Spring.

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

America the Beautiful! So why are we destroying it everyday with the use of pesticides? It has been proven that pesticides have affects on it's surrounding, although made to improve earths resources, they typically take there negative effect on the environment in time. Pesticides affect more than the environment; they also affect the animals and humans living in the environment. There are alternative, to this major problem but, we as the caretakers of earth must act fast. In the following paper I'm going to share with you what pesticides are. I'll tell you why they are not safe to use and some of the affects of pesticides. Last, I will talk about some new alternatives there are

This book was focused on the concern of pesticides that industries, along with us as individuals, have been dumping (both knowingly and unknowingly) into water. Carson was concerned that the chemicals which the farmers spread on their fields, and even the chemicals we use in our homes (among others), in the end, might come back around and harm us. The beginning of the book tells a story of a place, that was once so beautiful, turned dead and ugly due to a “strange blight that crept over the area” and destroyed everything. Later in the book, she goes on to explain that chemicals, particularly one known as DDT, are the major cause of environmental damage and the near extinction of

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

Eighty percent of U.S. households use pesticides more than once per year in and around their homes. Many of the pesticides applied indoors are semivolatile. Once applied, semivolatile pesticides can vaporize from treated surfaces and can distribute in and on targeted and nontargeted surfaces and objects (613). This is of specific concern because most Americans including children can spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors where pesticides have been applied. Given Children’s inherent biological vulnerabilities and characteristic behaviors, which are different from those of adults, children can be particularly susceptible to the effects of pesticides

“Americans used about 1.1 billion pounds of pesticides in 2007, the most recent year for which data are available, including products targeted against insects (insecticides), weeds (herbicides), molds (fungicides) and other species such as rats and mice” (Weeks). Neonicotinoid pesticides are constantly being sprayed into our environment and have been shown to benefit agricultural health in their own ways. Over the past years neonicotinoid pesticides have been used to shield our crops from harmful insects, weeds and molds; and on other occasions they have also been used to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. However, public health experts along with some health and environmental advocates state that pesticides can actually increase the risk of human health and environmental problems. It is important that the Environmental Protection Agency does not condone the use of neonicotinoid pesticides. These

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