HOW CAN WE

INFLUENCE HUMAN
HEALTH?
Impacts of Pesticides
Cathleen Castro, Harmony Juanta & Isaac

What is a Pesticide?
Pesticides are substances or a mixture of substances of chemical or biological origin. It is
used by human society in order to reduce or repel pests such as bacteria, nematodes,
insects, mites, mollusks, birds, rodents and other organisms. Pesticide may also refer to any
device, method or chemical that kills plants or animals.

Bacteria

Nematode

Mites

Different types of Pesticides and their

Purposes
Pesticide

Purpose

Algicides

Control algae
in swimming
pools and
water tanks

Antimicrobia
ls

Kill
microorganis
ms

Attractants

A trap
containing a
pesticide and
food to lure
insects or
rodents inside

Herbicides

Kill weeds

Insecticides

Kill insects
and other
arthropods

Miticides

Kills mites
that feed on
plants and
animals

Microbial
Pesticides

Microorganism
s that
kills/inhibits
pests.
Sometimes,
microorganis
ms get rid of
pests by
simply
growing larger

What is it made out of?

Pesticide products are exposed to a pesticide formulation that contains a

number of different materials, such as; active and inert ingredients, as
well as contaminants and impurities.
Active ingredients is usually the component of the formulation listed
on the pesticide content. The active ingredient is by nature biologically
and chemically. By this, it can definitely defined that these chemicals kill
living things.

Contaminants and impurities are often a part of the pesticide product

and responsible for product hazards.
Metabolites are breakdown products which forms when a pesticide is
used in the environment and mixes with air, water, soil or living
organisms.
Inert ingredients constitute over 95% of the pesticide product. They are
mixed into pesticide products as a carrier or sticking agent and are often

What is it used for?

Pesticides are used to control, kill or repel various
pests and disease carriers.

How does it affect

vegetables?
Pesticides affect vegetables,
as by spraying it on crops it
helps it grow without getting
eaten by pests and allows it
to grow properly, whilst it
protects all the vegetables.

What are the impacts on

human health?
Pesticide poisoning occurs
when the
chemical that is supposed to
target pests, affect organisms
that are not considered pests.

Is it better to buy foods that have or

havent been treated with pesticides?

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Beyond Pesticides (no date) Information Services: Pesticide Gateway: What Is a Pesticide? Beyond
Pesticides. Available at: http://www.beyondpesticides.org/gateway/whatisapesticide.php (Accessed: 16
June 2015)
EPA, U. and Programs, O. of P. (2012) Learn About Chemicals Around Your House. Available at:
http://www.epa.gov/kidshometour/pest.htm (Accessed: 16 June 2015)
Pesticide 2015, N.d, accessed 16 June 2015, <https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Pesticide>.
Pesticide Poisoning 2015, N.d, accessed 16 June 2015, <
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesticide_poisoning>.
Pesticides n.d., EPA, accessed 14 June 2015, <http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/pesticides/pestwhatrhow.htm
>.
Pesticides n.d., NIH, accessed 10 June 2015, <
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pesticides/>