An Introduction to Pesticides

S Govindarajan

Table of Contents 1. Wh a t is a p e s tic id e Typ e s 2. Ho w d o e s it w o rk c la s s ific a tio n 3. His to ry o f p e s tic id e 4. Go o d a n d b a d e ffe c ts o f p e s tic id e s 5. Effe c t o n e n iro n ! e n t" # s e rs $ c o n s # ! e rs c a s e s t#d ie s %. &lte rn a ti e s to p e s tic id e # s e

What is a Pesticide?

pesticide is a substance or mi%ture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or lessening the damage of any pest The pest can be insects, plant pathogens, weeds, mollusks, birds, mammals, fish, nematodes (roundworms) and microbes that compete with humans for food, destroy property, spread or help carry or spread diseases or are seen as a nuisance. pesticide may be a ! chemical substance, ! biological agent (such as a virus or bacteria), ! antimicrobial, ! disinfectant or ! device
4 6 5 3 2

"any chemical pesticides are poisonous to humans also. #esticides are used both in farms and within our homes and gardens. $n this presentation, we will look at pesticide use in farming and how it affects many entities including us consumers.
Insects such as locusts (1), weevils (2) are common pests and destroy crops in many parts of the world. Virus also attack a variety of plants such as the bell pepper (photo 3). irds such as the crow (!) and the weaver bird (") are also considered as pests as they eat some crops. ut they also provide benefits by eatin# insects, rodents and dead animals which may otherwise harm humans or the crops themselves. $he soybean nematode (worm) (%) is another type of pests. &urrently, the most common way of killin# all these pests is throu#h the use of poison ' usually chemical pesticides.

Types of Pesticides

(ost pesticides are also harmful to humans. )*treme care has to be taken to prepare them for #esticides come in many forms& use. In the top photo, the farmer has covered himself with #loves Bactericides for the control of bacteria and a coat to prevent any skin contact. +e has also worn a Fungicides for the control of fungi ' mask to prevent breathin# in the oomycetes fumes. In western countries, farmers often use airplanes (ri#ht Herbicides for the control of weeds middle) to spray pesticides. ,ot Insecticides for the control of insects ( these can only does this prevent any be )vicides (for eggs), *arvicides (for larva or contact between the farmer and the chemicals, but also a baby insects) or dulticides (for mature insects) lar#e area can be sprayed Miticides for the control of mites within a short time. -armers often rent airplanes for a day or two Molluscicides for the control of slugs and durin# farmin# season. snails .esticides such as molluscicides for water based pests may Nematicides for the control of nematodes re/uire a different application (ri#ht bottom). 0ifferent types of Rodenticides for the control of rodents pests re/uire different pesticides. 1ome common ones are shown Virucides for the control of viruses below.

Some pesticides are absorbed by the plants and thus become part of the plants themselves. Such pesticides are called systemic pesticides. The poison then appear in all parts of the plants such as leaves and flowers causing many organism that consume parts of the plant to be affected, including humans. )ften useful insects such as bees which pollinate plants die from this.

How Pesticides Work

Some pesticides are contact pesticides. To be effective these need to be absorbed through the e%ternal body surface or the e%posed plant tissue where the pests reside+ for e%ample, tetramethrin used in household fly sprays, and bipyridillium herbicides such as para,uat. -ontact pesticides have to reach their target directly to be effective. )ther pesticides are systemic in action. Systemic pesticides are absorbed by a plant or animal and moved (translocated) from the site of application to another site within the plant or animal where they become effective+ for e%ample, insecticides that are absorbed by foliage and translocated throughout the plant where they kill chewing or sucking insects+ or nematicides that are applied to the leaves of plants and are transferred to the roots of the plant to kill worms or caterpillars that are attacking the plant.s roots. Similarly, blood anticoagulant rodenticides in baits take effect once they have been transferred from the digestive system to the bloodstream of rats or mice. #esticides are most effective on eggs, larvae or seedlings. Thus they must also be applied at the right time / early in the life of the pest. ny delay in application would render them ineffective.
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How Pesticides Work

)nce it reaches the target pest, the chemical may act in different ways&
! Blocking the cellular processes of target organisms in a purely mechanical way 0y this, the pesticide physically prevents a basic cellular function even without any chemical reactions. 1%ample of this would be spray oils that clog the respiratory mechanism of insects, petroleum oils that dissolve protective wa%es on some insects and plants, or the bypyridylium herbicides that destroy the membranes of plant cells leading to their desiccation. ! Destroy or alter the pest s metabolism. "etabolism is the transfer of energy within the cells of organisms, which is essential for the growth and survival of all living things. There are many inhibitory pesticides in this category, such as by obstructing the respiratory, germination mechanisms. Sometimes, the pesticide will undergo transformation to another harmful chemical during the pest2s metabolism and thus affect it. 1%ample of these are rotenone and cyanide which disrupt respiratory functions in animals and sodium monfluoroacetate which gets converted to fluorocitrate inside the cell which is then poisonous to many animals. ! Disrupt en!yme processes or denature proteins / a very important part of every living cell. 1%amples include inorganic copper compounds, dithiocarbamate fungicides, phosphono amino acid herbicides such as glyphosate, and organophosphate insecticides.

1ome common .esticides. 2hite oil blocks the pests pores and causes suffocation. 3oundup4 and &learout4 are #lyphosphates.

How do Pesticides Work Continued

! "imulate or otherwise interfere with hormones, which are messenger chemicals that activate needed biological functions such as reproduction, to disrupt these cycles. 1%amples are the pheno%y herbicides that interfere with plant growth hormones and insect growth regulators that interfere with cuticle formation in insects during moulting. ! Ner#ous system disruptors affect mainly animal groups such as insects, nematodes and rodents. Some are narcotics such as some fumigant pesticides. )thers disrupt the movement of nerve impulses, such as the organophosphate, carbamate and pyrethroid pesticides. ! Disrupt photosynthesis pre#ent the plant $weeds% from producing or storing energy and ultimately kill the plant. 1%amples include the tria3ine, substituted urea and uracil herbicides.
2eedwhacker5 and uster5 and common pheno*y6based herbicide used mainly a#ainst broad leafed weeds. 7nvil5 is a , pyrethriod6based insecticide used to combat mos/uitoes. .rincep5 is a tria8ine6 based pesticide.

Some pesticides are residual in action and continue to be effective for days, weeks or months after their application. 1%amples are the tria3ine herbicides that persist in the soil and kill emerging weeds over the lifetime of a crop and insecticides that remain active for several years as a barrier to termites entering buildings. "any modern pesticides do not persist for long in the environment. They act ,uickly and are then degraded to non(to%ic substances by chemical or microbial processes. This helps prevent their build(up in crops or other organisms. 4ow ,uickly a pesticide breaks down depends on its chemical properties, how much is applied and how it is distributed, as well as environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, soil p4 and the availability of micro(organisms.

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History of Pesticides
4umans have used pesticides for a long time to prevent damage to their crops. -ommon traditional pesticides include plant and animal derivatives such as neem, chrysanthemums, and rotenone derivates or common chemicals such as sulfur, mercury and arsenic. 4owever, most were either ineffective or to%ic to both humans and animals. Thus only a small set of these were used. Traditional farmers used other (non(chemical) means to control pests. The story of modern synthetic pesticides starts with 5orld 5ar $ and the introduction of 66T. 6uring the 78th century, active research into science had yielded several chemicals. ccidental contact with some of these indicated they have some effect on humans. Thus the idea that these chemicals could be used to affect living organisms took shape. *arge(scale use of synthetic chemicals as weapons against humans first occurred in 5orld 5ar $ by Germany, 0ritain, 9rance and other major participants. -hemicals such as "ustard Gas, -yanides and -hlorine were observed to cause burns, sicknesses and death in soldiers.

5orld 5ar $ is often called :the chemists2 war:, both for the e%tensive use of poison gas and the importance of nitrates and advanced high e%plosives. Their effects evoked interest among people and many scientists started studying them closely. ;esearch into these and similar chemicals was funded by many companies and governments and continued well after the war.

( ottom 9eft) 7 soldier sufferin# from (ustard #as burns durin# 2orld 2ar I (1:1!61:1:) is bein# treated in a hospital. ( ottom 3i#ht) 1oldiers in a trench use masks to escape from chemical weapons. ($op) 7 poison #as attack.
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History of Pesticides: DDT

66T had been discovered in 7DEF by a German chemist named Geidler, but did not have any use for it. $n 78H8, following on the interest in chemicals due to 55$, #aul "Iller discovered that 66T was a very effective insecticide. ?o effect was apparent on humans. $t ,uickly became the most widely(used pesticide in the world. $t was used e%tensively during 5orld 5ar $$ by soldiers as well as certain civilian populations to control insect typhus and malaria.
7 ;1 soldier sprays 00$. $he chemical was used as an insecticide to kill mos/uitoes and other pests that spread diseases such as malaria.

)ver the ne%t twenty years, 66T became the number one insecticide in the world. 9armers started using this in large ,uantities in their fields. 66T was also used by agencies such as the 54) to reduce or prevent the spread of many killer disease across the world. 0y the mid 78<=s, it was observed that the mos,uitoes and other pests were becoming resistant to 66T. This led to a decrease in its use. lso, in the late 78<=s and 78>=s, many people started to observe changes in the environment, such as dying fishes and decrease in bird populations, where 66T was being used. These observations led to a study by ;achel -arson, a ?@ Times editor, of the effect of 66T and other synthetic chemicals on the environment, particularly water and water(based life in the AS. 4er conclusions, recorded in a book, Silent Springs, showed that 66T caused birds to lay eggs with thin shells as well as reproductive problems and death in birds almost reducing raptors such the 0ald 1agle, )sprey and #eregrine 9alcon to e%tinction. Supported by many scientists, she also documented other side effects of such chemicals such as environmental devastation, immunity development in the pests, development of problems such as cancer in humans etc.
*earn more about 66T at& http&BBwww.tc.umn.eduBCallch==7B7D7<BpestcideBsimBbackground.htm
)

History of Pesticides:

The chemical industry with companies such as "onsanto, Jelsicol, merican -yanamid and Modern Environmentalism the AS 6ept. of griculture reacted to these $n her book, -arson e%plored the subject of environmental charges with their own. They argued that connectedness& although a pesticide is aimed at these chemicals were a much needed weapon eliminating one organism, its effects are felt throughout against pests and diseases and that much of the food chain, and what was intended to poison an insect the the ideas in the book were speculation and ends up poisoning larger animals and humans. She said aimed at creating unnecessary fear in the the chemical industry spread misinformation on the use of readers. chemicals, particularly 66T, to increase consumption 0ut public sentiment against these had been causing their indiscriminate use and thus damage in the awakened and the resultant pressure forced environment. the AS government to ultimately ban 66T as -arson had made it clear she was not advocating the an insecticide in 78EK. 66T was subse,uently banning or complete withdrawal of helpful pesticides, but banned for agricultural use worldwide, but its was instead encouraging responsible and carefully limited use in disease vector control continues managed use with an awareness of the chemicals. impact to this day in certain parts of the world. The on the entire ecosystem. limited use of 66T has also helped decrease (9eft) 00$ sprayin# on a public beach as people #o about their normal activities. 1uch sprayin# was common before the adverse effects of 00$ the rate at which pests develop immunity to it, were known. (3i#ht) 7n advertisement for 00$ in the $ime ma#a8ine. thus making it more effective.
3achel &arson<s work was instrumental in understandin# the all6round effects of 00$. 1ource= http=>>www.tc.umn.edu>?allch@@1>1A1">pestcide >sim>back#round.htm

;achel -arson2s struggle was an important moment in the history of environmental campaigns. There is now a strong awareness on the effects of introducing synthetic chemicals in the environment and opposition in the world has eventually created interest in organic farming and other traditional eco( friendly practices.
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Pesticide Pollution
It is almost impossible to limit the area of effect of pesticides. Even when it is applied in a very small area, it spreads in the air, is absorbed in the soil or dissolves in the water and eventually reaches a much bigger area. Pesticides also often seep into ground water which we humans consume, poisoning us over time. In addition to these, residual pesticides on the plants are sometimes consumed by animals and even humans leading to very serious illnesses such as cancer and even death. According to the US Geological Survey, pesticides have been found to pollute virtually every la e, river and stream in the United States. Similar results are e!pected in any place where pesticide use is widely prevalent.

7tra8ine in 2hite 3iver, Indiana

0ead8ones are areas of waterbodies where the concentration of red al#ae and similar or#anisms have increased due to the presence of nitrates and phosphates from fertili8er and pesticide runoff. 0ue to the depletion of o*y#en in these areas, marine life such as fish and mollusks die out or mi#rate leavin# the area barren. $he photo above (left) shows the (ississippi river dead 8one while the satellite ima#e on the ri#ht is the Bulf of (e*ico dead 8one spannin# the coastlines of several states.

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Pesticide Pollution Through Water

(ost pesticides do not breakdown in a short time. $hey stay on the plant or end up in soil. 0urin# rains, these residual pesticide wash into rivers and ponds like the photo (below left). $he first casualty of these remnant pesticides are water life such as fish (below), water based micro or#anisms such as al#ae, insects and plants. ein# at the bottom of the food chain, these are very important to other life forms. Cther Insects, animals and birds consume these and thus the poison spreads alon# the food chain. -ish eatin# birds such as ospreys (below middle) and bald ea#les (below ri#ht) are amon# the first bi##er species to be affected by pesticide presence in water. 7 re#ular study of chemicals in water sources (below far left)is the first step at eliminatin# this poisonin#.

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Effect of Pesticides on Environment

"entral to the effect of pesticides on environment is the concept of biodiversity. #iodiversity is the variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome or for the entire Earth. #iodiversity is often used as a measure of the health of biological systems. $he more the number of organisms living in balance in an environment, the healthier that environment is. $his is important to humans too as we depend on nature to provide us food, water and everything else. $he application of pesticides has a significant effect on biodiversity.
A diverse environment sustains many types of lifeforms all of which are interdependent. These may range from micro es to insects such as ants! eetles and wasps to irds to large animals such as the elephant and predators such as fo"es! wolves! wild dogs! lions! tigers and ears. #uch a system has the a ility to maintain its alance so that no one species ecomes dominant. $hat we consider to e a pest may also e eneficial to us y consuming and controlling other pests. %r they may e sustaining a species that feeds on that and other similar pests. &liminating even one of them can cause significant changes and may result in many others also ecoming e"tinct in that environment.
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Pesticides & Environment

%ost pesticides also do not distinguish between pests and other similar incidental life&forms. It ills them all. %any of these insects, animals and birds feed on what humans loo upon as pests. Also, by consuming pests illed by use of pesticides, they ingest the same poisonous chemicals causing them to suffer. $his is ironic as these species are often helpful to humans by consuming and limiting the pests. It is estimated that for every target animal poisoned, 100-300 non-target animals die. At a lower level, pesticides ill soil microbes and other organisms that ta e part in nitrogen fi!ing and other important natural cycles. $hese affect the ability of soil to regenerate itself and remain viable for plant and animal life.

Insects, soil and water6based life forms are often the first non6 tar#eted casualties of pesticide usa#e. -ro#s and fish have permeable skins that absorbs any impurities in surroundin# water includin# pesticides. Cn land, insects such as bees and butterflies suffer the same fate as they consume pesticide6laden plants and flowers. 7t a second level, birds such as owls, pelicans and many raptors and carrion eaters (ea#les, vultures) which eat either the poisoned fish or any pest will in#est the same poison.

Environment devastated by pesticides may take years to recover. In some cases, it may never recover at all!

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Pesticides & Environment Examples

Roundup Herbicide Kills More Than Weeds: Frog Species are Rapidly Dying Off
DEBORAH K. RICH / San Francisco Chronicle 23jul2005 In an e!"eri#en$% Rel&ea assis$an$ "ro'essor o' a(ua$ic ecolo)&* $o!icolo)&* e+olu$ion an, -eha+ior a$ $he .ni+ersi$& o' /i$$s-ur)h % 'oun, $ha$ $he co##on% insec$ici,es re,uce, $he ,i+ersi$& an, nu#-er o' insec$s. In$eres$in)l&* he 'oun, $ha$ +er& lo0 ,oses o' $he insec$ici,es increase, $he sur+i+al o' $a,"oles* "ro-a-l& -ecause o' $he hi)h #or$ali$& o' $he ,ra)on'lies* -ee$les an, he#i"$erans* all $a,"ole "re,a$ors. /erha"s #os$ sur"risin)l&* Rel&ea ,isco+ere, $ha$ Roun,u"* ,esi)ne, $o 1ill "lan$s* e!$er#ina$e, $0o 'ro) s"ecies* an, nearl& e!$er#ina$e, a $hir,* re,ucin) $a,"ole 2richness2 -& 30 "ercen$. 4an& o' $he ,ea$hs occurre, in $he 'irs$ 25 hours a'$er $he a,,i$ion o' $he Roun,u". Rel&ea 'oun, $he sa#e resul$s usin) Roun,u" in su-se(uen$ $es$s. 2Collec$i+el&* $he a+aila-le ,a$a in,ica$e $ha$* con$rar& $o con+en$ional 0is,o#* curren$ a""lica$ion ra$es o' Roun,u" can -e hi)hl& le$hal $o #an& s"ecies o' a#"hi-ians*2 0ri$es Rel&ea in his "a"er 26he I#"ac$ o' Insec$ici,es an, Her-ici,es on $he Bio,i+ersi$& an, /ro,uc$i+i$& o' A(ua$ic Co##uni$ies.2 6he 'e,eral 7a$ional Science Foun,a$ion 'un,e, Rel&ea8s research.

King Cotton Meet Rachel Carson

B& SA4 HO;E <ERHO<EK 7= 6i#es9 /u-lishe,9 >anuar& 2?* @AAB 6he i,ea 0as $o )e$ ri, o' $he his$orical ne#esis o' Kin) Co$$on9 $he -oll 0ee+il. Bu$ an)r& co$$on 'ar#ers in $he Rio Cran,e <alle& o' 6e!as 'or)e, an unusual an$i:)o+ern#en$ re-ellion las$ 0ee1 -& sa&in) no. 6he era,ica$ion "ro)ra#* -ase, on in$ensi+e aerial s"ra&in) 0i$h $he insec$ici,e #ala$hion* is in$en,e, $o +an(uish $he "es$ in $his coun$r& -& $he $urn o' $he cen$ur&* an, has alrea,& all -u$ 1ille, i$ o'' in #uch o' $he Sou$heas$. Bu$ in Sou$h 6e!as* #an& 'ar#ers ha+e 'oun, un0elco#e si,e e''ec$s. 6he& -la#e $he s"ra&in) 'or 1illin) a lo$ o' s"i,ers* 0as"s an, o$her insec$s $he& consi,er -ene'icial* as 0ell as $he 0ee+ilD $his* $he& sa&* s"urre, an ou$-rea1 o' ano$her co$$on:,es$ro&in) "es$* $he -ee$ ar#&0or#* $ha$ cause, one o' $heir 0ors$ cro" har+es$s $his cen$ur&. 26his $hin) isn8$ a -oll:0ee+il era,ica$ion "ro)ra#*2 sai, one lea,er o' $he insec$ici,e% recall ,ri+e. 2I$8s a co$$on:'ar#er era,ica$ion "ro)ra#.2 SA4 HO;E <ERHO<EK

h$$"9//000.#in,'ull&.or)//es$ici,e/2005/Roun,u":Kills:A#"hi-ians23jul05. Pesticides disrupt farmland bird food chains h$# De#e.!er 12, 2001 / 3reli.inary re"%lt" are e.er)in) *r$. i.p$rtant ne( ($r4 $n the Pesticides Spell Doom for bird life in Wayanad indire#t e**e#t" $* a)ri#%lt%ral pe"ti#ide" $n *ar.land !ird" in Britain, At the Briti"h E#$l$)i#al By R Madhavan Nair/(Appeared in THE HINDU, dated 01 April 2003 5$#iety0" &inter Meetin), at the Univer"ity $* &ar(i#4 $n 16720 De#e.!er 2001, T$ny Many !ird "pe#ie" that $n#e livened %p &ayanad'" land"#ape (ith their !ri)htly M$rri" $* the R$yal 5$#iety *$r the 3r$te#ti$n $* Bird" (R53B (ill pre"ent early eviden#e *r$. a DE8RA *%nded pr$9e#t ai.ed at %nder"tandin) the r$le $* indire#t e**e#t" *r$. pe"ti#ide" in #$l$%red pre"en#e and t%ne*%l #rie" are headed *$r e+tin#ti$n, - the threat t$ the de#linin) p$p%lati$n" $* a n%.!er $* *ar.land !ird "pe#ie", The re"%lt" $* the ($r4, (hi#h !ird" "ee." t$ have ri"en t$ 'an alar.in) level/d%e t$ indi"#ri.inate %"e $* (a" in"ti)ated !y DE8RA0" 3e"ti#ide 5a*ety Dire#t$rate, (ill !e i.p$rtant in en"%rin) that pe"ti#ide", ha!itat de"tr%#ti$n, ha!itat *ra).entati$n and hi)h level" $* indire#t e**e#t" are pr$perly #$n"idered !e*$re a)ri#%lt%ral pe"ti#ide" are appr$ved, de*$re"tati$n, The inva"i$n $* !anana and are#an%t int$ paddy *ield" and 0the "hi*t in a)ri#%lt%re pra#ti#e" t$rn "%!"i"ten#e #r$ppin) t$ #a"h #r$ppin) and inten"ive appli#ati$n $* #he.i#al *ertili1er" and pe"ti#ide" have #a%"ed irrepara!le da.a)e t$ &ayanad'" *ra)ile e#$/"y"te. and ha" #a%"ed %n*av$%ra!le livin) #$nditi$n" *$r !ird", M$rri" "ay": ;Re"%lt" *r$. the R53B re"ear#h indi#ate that pe"ti#ide, e"pe#ially in"e#ti#ide, "prayin) in "prin) and "%..er red%#e" the a!%ndan#e $* 4ey in"e#t", (hi#h are an i.p$rtant part $* *ar.land !ird"0 diet",< http://(((,!ri)ht"%r* ,#$./ne("/headline"/1=>22/3e"ti#ide"?di"r%pt?*ar.land?!ird?*$$d?#hain",ht.l

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Immunity to Pesticides

The slow poisoning of Punjab Da.a)ed "$il, ill/e**e#t" *r$. pe"ti#ide", and *allin) (ater ta!le" are the le)a#y $* pra#ti#e" that (ere $n#e th$%)ht )reat *$r the "tate, Ra.e"h Men$n rep$rt",

A very important issue is the evolving http://(((,indiat$)ether,$r)/200>/*e!/hlt/p$i"$n,ht. immunity of pests to pesticides. Evolution is a fundamental natural phenomenon that occurs All (a" *ine till the #$tt$n #r$p (a" intr$d%#ed, The *ir"t *e( year" (ere )$$d and all the time. 'atural selection and other laws of !r$%)ht in )$$d ret%rn", B%t (hen the A.eri#an !$ll($r. atta#4 #a.e, the #r$p )$t de"tr$yed, 3ani# "tri#4en, the *ar.er" )%ided !y pe"ti#ide dealer", "tarted evolution help species survive changes in their p%.pin) in h%)e a.$%nt" $* pe"ti#ide, Initally, the pe"t" died, !%t later $n, year environment. "onstant application of a*ter year, the pe"t "tarted devel$pin) i..%nity t$ pe"ti#ide "pray" and pesticides falls in the category of changes in #$ntin%ed t$ atta#4 the #$tt$n #r$p and de"tr$y it, The pe"t" devel$ped i..%nity environment. (ver time pests, targeted by *a"t a" pe"ti#ide (a" $*ten ad%lterated, The !$dy .e#hani". $* the pe"t *$%)ht these pesticides, evolve to be able to survive a)ain"t the e+#e""ive "prayin), their presence in their environment. )hen this 5ay" @al 5in)h, a #$tt$n *ar.er in Bhatinda: <Be*$re 1AA0, (e had n$ pr$!le.", happens, the pesticide becomes ineffective. A &e %"ed t$ earn (ell and "$ eat (ell and lived (ell, B%t a*ter the pe"t" #a.e, (e different *and usually stronger+ variety of "a( hell, &e had t$ "pray thr$%)h$%t the year and "$.eti.e" a" .any a" 3B pesticide is needed to be as effective. $he rate ti.e", A" the pe"ti#ide (a" very e+pen"ive, (e had t$ ta4e l$an",C at which immunity develops is dependent on the amount of e!posure to the pesticide , the higher the e!posure, the faster immunity develops. Usually pests are more aggressive and the first to evolve to adopt to newer environments. (ther passive species are not as -uic to adopt and continue to be affected by the pesticides well after it has become ineffective to the pests. $hus the pesticides not only become ineffective, but they also continue to harm the environment. .armers respond to this situation by applying increasing amounts of the same pesticide, thereby compounding the problem and depleting the soil. $he cost of these pesticides being very high, an overuse of these turns ruinous for farmers over time.

$his corn fields in Vermont was devastated by the overuse of fertili8ers and pesticides, which left it unable to retain nutrients or moisture. &arina 1orensen > $he (cBill 0aily

http=>>www.mc#illda
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Pesticides and GM crops

Genetic modification *G%+ is a development that has gained importance in recent times. $he ability to identify specific gene se-uences and change them provide certain advantages in controlling the behavior of species to our advantage. (ne such application of G% is in developing plants or crops immune to herbicides that would otherwise ill a natural occurring specimen. $his ma es it possible to apply very large -uantities of that chemical as a pesticide causing other species around that plant to die. Such plants fall under the category of genetically modified organisms. )hile this appears a sound development on the surface, there are several hidden dangers in this approach. (f relevance to us here is the danger of overuse of the herbicide. As we have seen, this eventually leads to them not only becoming ineffective, but also poisons the environment and altering it for the worse. An overuse of these G% plants with the gene se-uences can easily transfer to surrounding weeds ma ing the pesticide ineffective. .urthermore, the newly resistant pests and now immune to naturally occurring pesticides and microbial predators ma ing them /super0 pests1 $hus farmers who rely on these naturally occurring pests will suffer.
Zero-till farmers air Roundup Ready concerns By Ian Bell, Brand$n !%rea% D"h$rtenedE &e"tern 3r$d%#er, 8riday De# 2
http://(((,pr$d%#er,#$./arti#le"/2001120=/ne("/2001120=ne("06,ht.l

In Fhri" D1i"ia4'" $pini$n, $ne year $* )ain *r$. )r$(in) a her!i#ide/t$lerant #an$la tran"late" int$ three year" $* pain, In 2000, v$l%nteer #an$la appeared in the 1B= a#re *ield (here R$%nd%p Ready #an$la had !een planted the year !e*$re, The *ield (a" planted t$ (heat in 2000, D-E he "aid hi" pr$!le." (ith the v$l%nteer #an$la !e#a.e .$re a#%te thi" year (hen he planted the "a.e *ield t$ *la+, A pre"eed !%rn$** *ailed t$ #$ntr$l the Dre.ainin)E her!i#ide/t$lerant D#an$laE plant", Dzisia illed the !olunteer canola "with high dosage of herbicides#$ but his fla% crop suffered because of the high rate of herbicide$ he told a gathering of minimum and zero till farmers in &randon last wee ' The stunted fla% grew slowly o!er the ne%t two wee s$ allowing wild oats and !olunteer wheat to flourish' The result$ according to Dzisia $ was a yield loss of three bushels an acre in his fla% crop' He e"ti.ate" he l$"t G>,B00 thi" year !e#a%"e $* the yield l$"", the e+tra her!i#ide #$"t" t$ #$ntr$l the v$l%nteer #an$la, and the e+#e"" d$#4a)e in hi" *la+ d%e t$ the (heat v$l%nteer" and (ild $at", He e+pe#t" pr$!le." (ith the her!i#ide/t$lerant #an$la a)ain ne+t year (hen he plant" pea" $n the *ield, D1i"ia4 d$%!t" he (ill ever )r$( a R$%nd%p () crops need more pesticide Ready #r$p a)ain !e#a%"e the pr$!le." $%t(ei)hed the !ene*it", ;I #ertainly didn't "ave .y"el* .$ney and I #ertainly didn't "ave .y"el* ti.e,; by a massi!e +, million * new any study has re!ealed that pesticide use has any increased pounds -,,$../ tonnes0 since 1Sv$l%nteer" farmers started to growthr$%)h$%t () cropsthe $ne/ A #$n#ern a!$%t metric her!i#ide/t$lerant #an$la (a" prevalent commercially in .223'Ready #an$la i" a pr$d%#t $* M$n"ant$, day .eetin), R$%nd%p These crops are genetically modified to be resistant to a particular pesticide$ allowing it to be used indiscriminately to ill pests' &ut many farmers then ha!e to spray greater 4uantities of herbicide on their () crops$ as weed species adapt to () and become harder to control' 5n some cases$ the weeds are e!en de!eloping a genetic resistance to the herbicide' http677www'greenpeace'org'u 7gm7gm-crops-need-more-pesticide
1'

Effects of Pesticides on Farmers

Pesticides are, by design, poisonous to at least some organisms. $hey attac mechanisms by which organisms live. $hus, it is no surprise that e!posure to pesticides is not good for humans. All pesticides affect humans to some e!tent. $his e!tent is what differentiates pesticides from one another. Some may have negligible effects while others a large impact. In the US and elsewhere, pesticides are thus classified according to its to!icity and attac mechanism. Effects of pesticides on farmers may range from short&lived to chronic, minor to serious and sometimes fatal ailments. $he most common reason for this is lac of information about the pesticide or unavailability of it to the farmer. In many cases, farmers do not practice safe application methods leading to s in contact, inhalation and even ingestion. (veruse of pesticides compounds this issue as farmers are e!posed to several times the safe limits.

*cute pesticide poisoning among cut-flower farmers

The "t%dy rep$rted here (a" #$nd%#ted a.$n) #%t/*l$(er *ar.er" in @a Trinidad I3hilippine"E, Thi" .%ni#ipality )r$(" #%t *l$(er" "%#h a" r$"e", #hry"anthe.%.", an)el'" !reath, and anth%ri%., a##$%ntin) *$r a B0/!illi$n/ pe"$ ind%"try, The heavy %"e $* pe"ti#ide" ha", h$(ever, p$"ed a ri"4 t$ the health $* the *ar.er" (@%, 200B , The *ir"t and "e#$nd pha"e" $* the "t%dy "h$(ed that 1A per#ent $* re"p$ndent" rep$rted an illne"" a""$#iated (ith pe"ti#ide", and 32 per#ent (ere "y.pt$.ati#, The illne"" $* the *ar.er" (a" a""$#iated (ith #ertain ri"4 *a#t$r", "%#h a" *ar. %"e $* pe"ti#ide" *$r the pa"t 12 .$nth", e+p$"%re t$ pe"ti#ide" d%rin) appli#ati$n, and inhalati$n $* pe"ti#ide vap$r" and .i"t" (p J ,0B , Kther ri"4 *a#t$r" in#l%ded re/enterin) re#ently "prayed *ar.", (ipin) "(eat $** the *a#e (ith a #$nta.inated pie#e $* *a!ri#, and "pill" $n !$die" d%rin) appli#ati$n $* pe"ti#ide" (p J ,0B , 5y.pt$." in#l%ded eye pain, di11ine"", and re"pirat$ry pr$!le.", (B$i4$ et al,, 200B , Pesticides in children/Environmental Science & Technology
August 23, 2006: When researchers from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine studied pesticide levels in immigrant farmworkers, they were surprised to find very high concentrations in their children. The scientists are now calling for better education for farmworkers to protect their children from exposure (Am. J. Ind. Med. 2006; doi 10.1002/ajim.20354).

http://(((,the*reeli!rary,#$./A#%teHpe"ti#ideHp$i"$nin)Ha.$n)H#%t/*l$(erH*a

http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/20

1(

Pesticide Poisoning in a Farmer: The case of Jerry Vann

* 8armer9s :ife Dream ;nds in Disaster -in his own words0
The *$ll$(in) i" ta4en *r$. ;3e"ti#ide" and L$%;, 8all 1AA2, <erry =ann6 >5 am a ?@ year old farmer who is dying due to the chemicals used to grow cheaper food for our tablesA, Mr, Mann *ar.ed a!$%t 3000 a#re" in the "tate $* Mi""$%ri, U5A )r$(in) #$tt$n, (heat, .il$ and $ther #r$p" *r$. the early 1A=0", In the 1A20", $(in) t$ a la#4 $* *ar. help, he al$n) (ith .any *ar.er" t$$4 t$ .e#hani1ed #he.i#al *ar.in), Thi" helped hi. *ar. lar)e tra#t" (ith *ar le"" la!$r, T$ help "%#h *ar.er", #he.i#al #$.panie" devi"ed "everal pe"ti#ide" and *ertili1er", In the "h$rt r%n, the"e (ere very help*%l t$ *ar.er", &hile the e**e#t" $* the"e $n h%.an" (ere n$t (ell "t%died, #$.panie" and the )$vern.ent a)en#y (E3A !$th $**ered "everal )eneral pre#a%ti$nary advi#e t$ *ar.er" handlin) the"e #he.i#al", The"e advi#e, th$%)h "$%nd, (ere al(ay" n$t pra#ti#al and #$%ld n$t !e *$ll$(ed all the ti.e and th%" there (ere "$.e in#idental #$nta#t" (ith the #he.i#al" *r$. ti.e t$ ti.e, <In a!$%t 1AA2, a ne( #he.i#al #a.e $n the .ar4et that ($%ld 4ill the .$"t *eared (eed $n the *ar., the M$rnin) Nl$ry, Thi" ne( #he.i#al (a" %"ed (ith an$ther #he.i#al %nder the #$tt$n "eed, &e (ere t$ld it ($%ld 4eep the her!i#ide *r$. 4illin) the #$tt$n,C <The #he.i#al that y$% $%t %nder the #$tt$n (a" an $r)an$ph$"phate, (hi#h (a" a very dan)er$%" #he.i#al, A*ter "t%dyin) thi" ne( te#hn$l$)y, I de#ided t$ %"e it in liO%id *$r., &e *i+ed $%r tra#t$r and planter t$ d$ thi", Be#a%"e it i" "$ (indy here in the "prin), I didn't (ant t$ %"e the p$(der, The liO%id really ($r4ed )$$d and (a" really a##%rate (ith the rati$n (e (anted t$ p%t $%t,C

<&hen plantin) #$tt$n, it i" very i.p$rtant t$ plant the ri)ht depth, N$t thin4in), I (a" di))in) in the )r$%nd !ehind the planter t$ .a4e "%re I (a" plantin) the ri)ht depth, I (a" di))in) in 4iller #he.i#al",C 5h$rtly a*ter that, Mr, Mann "tarted e+perien#in) tiredne"" and !%rnin) in hi" *eet, @$#al d$#t$r" (ere %na!le t$ *ind $%t the e+a#t #a%"e (ith #ertainty, 8inally, a "pe#iali"t dia)n$"ed hi" ail.ent a" peripheral ne%r$pathy 7 an illne"" (here the nerve" in hi" e+tre.itie" die 7 and there (a" n$t #%re *$r it, Mr, Mann (a" %na!le t$ *ar. any.$re and the !an4 t$$4 p$""e""i$n $* hi" *ar., He #$%ld n$t even !e any(here near a pla#e (here pe"ti#ide" (ere !ein) %"ed, He .$ved $%t and (a" la"t heard $* ta4in) "ee4in) a #heaper #%re t$ hi" ail.ent,

(any farmers do not use protective e/uipment and come into contact with pesticides. ;sually temporary farm hands such as those employed durin# plantin# or harvestin# seasons are most affected. In the photo above, lettuce pickers come in direct contact with the pesticide laden plant and soil. $hey also breath in remnant pesticides in the air. 7ll these lead to ailments.

1)

Alternatives to Pesticides
%r. 2ann3s case is not an isolated incident. In many cases, farmers and farming communities e!posed to pesticides have come down with serious and chronic ailments. In many communities, pesticide spraying season is now considered a dangerous time to be outside1 Some have even advised closures of schools that function near the farms1 Incidents such as 4erry 2ann3s and others have prompted serious concern among farmers around the world. %any farmers have now switched to Integrated Pest %anagement *IP%+ methods or organic farming that minimi5es or altogether avoids the use of these to!ic chemicals in their farmlands. Integrated Pest %anagement *IP%+ is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common&sense practices. IP% programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. $his information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible ha5ard to people, property, and the environment. (rganic farming goes even further, with no chemical inputs to the farm. All fertili5ers and pesticides have a natural or organic basis.

'rea(ing )ews* +esticide ,ontamination in -indsay .esidents/ 'odies

(ay 1%th, 2@@F= http=>>www.pesticidereform.or#>article.phpDidE2:F $ired of seein# their children become ill durin# times of peak pesticide sprayin#, a #roup of concerned residents of 9indsay, $ulare &ounty tested the air they breathe and their own bodies for the presence of the commonly used, hi#hly to*ic pesticide chlorpyrifos. Cver :1G of the people tested had above avera#e levels of breakdown products of the pesticide chlorpyrifos in their urine, and most of the women had amounts above the level calculated from ;.1. )nvironmental .rotection 7#ency data to be safe for pre#nant and nursin# women.

5S 5BT;(R*T;D P;ST )*B*(;);BT -5P)0 PRC85T*&:;D Kver the pa"t *$%r year"D1AA0/A3E, 3B )r$(er" in#rea"ed their pr$*it" !y G1A1 per a#re $n 1,6=2 a#re" $* "(eet #$rn !y red%#in) their #%ll" *r$. 1>P pre/pr$)ra. t$ 3P a*ter their I3M trainin), That'" a t$tal "avin)" $* G3B2,000 $r G10,200 per )r$(er, and .ean" that the avera)e )r$(er (B3H a#re" #$%ld "ave an additi$nal G10,200 per year i* he #$ntin%ed t$ %tili1e I3M a*ter hi" initial trainin), 5avin)" *r$. red%#ed pe"ti#ide %"e, red%#ed .a#hine h$%r", and red%#ed la!$r *r$. "prayin) and #%llin) .$re than $**"et the #$"t" $* "#$%tin) and trappin) eO%ip.ent, http://(((,h$rt,%#$nn,ed%/ip./ve)/ht."/ip.pr$*it,ht.
>;!en a moderately fertile area li e that of Ehengalpattu -Tamilnadu0 our paddy production in a substantial area of its lands around .+3F-+F amounted to some ?-3 tons per hectare$ which e4uals the production of paddy per hectare in present day <apan - the current world high'A G Indian historian Dharampal on the effectiveness of traditional agriculture methods'

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The Bhopal Gas Tragedy: Pesticides in our midst

$he worst industrial disaster in the history of the world is related to pesticide production. $his occurred in hopal, India on the early hours of 0ec. 3, 1:A!. In this incident, (ethyl Isocyanide ((I&) ' an in#redient in the production of the insecticide &arbaryl ' produced and stored in the ;nion &arbide plant, escaped into the atmosphere killin# more than 3,@@@ people within a few hours. 1everal thousands have developed serious ailments over the years stemmin# from e*posure to the chemical Hust that one ni#ht. $he insecticide, &arbyl, itself is a hi#hly to*ic chemical and carcino#en (cancer causin# a#ent) to humans and many insects includin# several beneficial ones such as honey bees. $he tra#edy occurred due to lack of ade/uate safe#uards in the storin# the chemical and lack of ade/uate warnin# to the public. It hi#hli#hts, amon# others, the need for proper protection ($op) 1urvivors of the tra#edy lineup outside the and education to the public on the presence and factory awaitin# treatment. .esticides such as 9indane (middle) and 1evin (bottom) are still use of such to*ic chemicals in their midst.
bein# stored in unsafe manner in the now abandoned the factory. .hoto source= (aude 0orr, www.bhopal.or#
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Pesticides and Consumers

$his is of importance to all of us, in that we are all consumers at some level. %any of the foods we eat are grown using synthetic fertili5ers and chemicals. $he primary concern to consumers is the presence of pesticides in the food. Pesticide residue occur in food if the sprayed crops have not been cleaned fully after harvesting. (r if systemic pesticides have been used, they may be present in the harvested crop. )hile some of these may not be harmful to consumers especially in small -uantities, it is important to now what we are eating. Government agencies normally prescribe safe limits for common pesticides and chec for them against the limits. $his method has not proven effective several times. $here are many reasons6

&+A restricts 2 pesticides! ut denies any food safety threat

http*00www.cnn.com0)AT1.&022340320pesticide.ris(.320 I2hen the #overnment announces these chemicals are unsafe on food theyJre ... announcin#, in effect, that the farm #roups and chemical companies who have said there is no problem were wron#,I Ken &ook of the )nvironmental 2orkin# Broup told &,,. ut 7llan Lennin#s, the director of the 7#riculture 0epartmentJs Cffice of .est (ana#ement .olicy, insists this yearJs crop of apples and produce that have been sprayed with the chemicals are safe. -arm #roups say no sound scientific basis e*ists for restrictin# the two pesticides. $hey fear the public will react by shunnin# this yearJs crops. I($he ).7 is) simply actin# on a political deadline and for a political reason rather than a reason based on sound science,I 1harp told &,,.

$he agencies may not have enough resources to chec all the food articles. Usually only a small sample is chec ed and even these are not rigorously scrutini5ed. (ften, the agency relies How Ha!e Pesticides &een Regulated in the PastD on data from the grower. $he limits are prescribed based on past studies. .or many newer pesticides, independent studies on long&term effects are not available. Agencies also rely on studies conducted by the manufacturers which may be inade-uate or even biased. As pests develop immunity, newer stronger variety of pesticides are needed. Agencies often have to balance the bad side effects of the pesticides with the good ones. Public policies are ultimately shaped by public opinion. If the public *consumer+ is not aware of the side effects of the pesticides, framing a balanced policy is not possible. In many cases the public is unaware of the effects of pesticides and have the chance to listen to only one side of the story.

http://(((,#hildenvir$n.ent,$r)/*a#t"heet"/pe"ti#ide"?in?*$$d,ht.

8r$. 1AB6 t$ 1AA=, the Envir$n.ental 3r$te#ti$n A)en#y (E3A re)%lated pe"ti#ide %"e a##$rdin) t$ the Delaney Fla%"e $* the 8$$d, Dr%) and F$".eti# A#t, Thi" #la%"e pr$hi!ited #ar#in$)eni# pe"ti#ide re"id%e" in *$$d, B%t, !y the late 1A60", "everal *a#t$r" pr$.pted the reeval%ati$n $* h$( t$ e"ti.ate and .ana)e pe"ti#ide ri"4", In 1A62, a Nati$nal A#ade.y $* 5#ien#e" (NA5 rep$rt revealed that the E3A #$n"i"tently ne)le#ted t$ en*$r#e the Delaney Fla%"e,1 At the "a.e ti.e, #$n#ern ar$"e $ver the t$leran#e" e"ta!li"hed !y the E3A, T$leran#e"/the .a+i.%. O%antitie" $* pe"ti#ide re"id%e" all$(a!le $n *$$d/(ere deter.ined !a"ed $n avera)e e+p$"%re $* the entire p$p%lati$n, They there*$re did n$t a##$%nt *$r varia!ility in e+p$"%re pattern", n$r health ri"4" related t$ )e$)raphy, ethni#ity, and a)e, 22

Pesticides in Food
Food Product Apple Butter )arrots )eler+ )ollard greens )ucum,er -gg . Soft ,oiled /rapes /reen peppers 0am,urger 1ettuce 2aisins Spinac3 . ,oiled Stra4,erries Total Different Total # of Average # of Average Parts Per Pesticides Pesticides in Pesticides Billion Per 100gm Found 37 Samples Per Sample Serving (3 ! o" # $7 1%3 !$ $$&1%0 17 $1' !% $(&170 1$ (* 17 $&$30 $$ 1%* !$ '&030 3% $11 !7 3$&030 33 1%1 !$ (&%!0 % $0 0! $00 3$ 1!$ *1 $0&!%0 $' 1%% !* 31&330 $$ $1( !' 1&'$0 $0 %7 $% 3&%$0 $1 7( $1 $&('0 3( $*! (( 3(&*'0 $% $0* !! '*&%!0 1ource= .esticides In &ommon -oods 6 -07 1tudy http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/tds1byfd.pdf

!esticides in Food http://(((,n$*any,$r)/h$tt$pi#"/pe"ti#ide"in*$$d,ht.l An analy"i" .ade !y the Envir$n.ental &$r4in) Nr$%p $* .$re than 110,000 )$vern.ent/te"ted *$$d "a.ple" and detailed )$vern.ent data $n #hildrenQ" *$$d #$n"%.pti$n *$%nd that .%ltiple pe"ti#ide" 4n$(n $r "%"pe#ted t$ #a%"e !rain and nerv$%" "y"te. da.a)e, #an#er, $r h$r.$ne inter*eren#e are #$..$n in *$$d" .any #hildren #$n"%.e, R M$re than a O%arter $* a .illi$n U,5, #hildren a)ed 17B in)e"t a #$.!inati$n $* 20 di**erent pe"ti#ide" every day, M$re than 1 .illi$n pre"#h$$ler" eat at lea"t 1B pe"ti#ide" $n a )iven day, Kverall, 20 .illi$n #hildren a)ed B and %nder eat an avera)e $* 6 pe"ti#ide" every day, R 5$.e =10,000 #hildren a)ed 17B #$n"%.e a d$"e $* ne%r$t$+i# $r)an$ph$"phate in"e#ti#ide" that the )$vern.ent dee." %n"a*e, M$re than hal* $* the"e %n"a*e e+p$"%re" are *r$. $ne pe"ti#ideS .ethyl parathi$n, R 3re"#h$$ler"Q eatin) ha!it" are even .$re dra.ati#ally di**erent *r$. th$"e $* ad%lt" than previ$%" data indi#ated, &hen (ei)ht i" ta4en int$ a##$%nt, 4id" a)ed 17B #$n"%.e 30 ti.e" .$re apple 9%i#e, 21 ti.e" .$re )rape 9%i#e, and 2 ti.e" .$re $ran)e 9%i#e than the avera)e per"$n in the p$p%lati$n,

-ruits are some of the foods containin# most pesticide residue.

R Ten year" a*ter the Alar "#are, apple" are "till l$aded (ith pe"ti#ide", The avera)e apple ha" re"id%e" $* *$%r pe"ti#ide" a*ter it i" (a"hed and #$red, 5$.e have re"id%e" $* a" .any a" ten, M$re http=>>www.#uardian.co.uk>ukMnews>story>@,,1AA@@AF,@@.html than hal* $* the #hildren e+p$"ed t$ an %n"a*e d$"e $* $r)an$ph$"phate in"e#ti#ide" )et it *r$. apple", apple "a%#e, $r apple 9%i#e,

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Learn more on pesticide use

&learly, the use of pesticides re/uires a careful lon#6term study of both the benefits and ill6effects. 7s we learn more about pesticides and their effects on the environment, users and consumers, it is apparent that at the very least, their use needs to be limited. 1uch a limit is also useful in maintainin# their effectiveness to the tar#et pests. $o complement this, a better understandin# of how nature works and maintains a balance between different species is needed. 1uch an understandin# also helps us preserve biodiversity upon which all species includin# human societies depend for survival. 7s farmers and the public learn more about this, newer and more nature6friendly techni/ues such as or#anic farmin# and I.( have evolved. 7 basic understandin# of pesticides and other chemicals used in our food production is also necessary for the #eneral public since they are the ultimate arbiters of public policy.
9ist of symptoms caused by poisonin# with commonly used pesticides (top).1uch information has led to several awareness campai#ns such as the ones on ri#ht (source= http=>>www.oakville#reen.com>html>pesticides.htm)
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Useful information sources

Pesticide "lassification6 http677www.epa.gov7pesticides7about7types.htm Integrated Pest %anagement6 http677www.epa.gov 7pesticides7factsheets7ipm.htm Pesticides and farmers6 http677www.epa.gov 7pesticides7about7ag8fa-.htm PA' intro to pesticide6 http677docs.pesticideinfo .org79ocs7ref8general:.html ;esidual pesticide levels6 http677www.sustainablefood.com7guide7residues.html Pesticide side effects6 http677pmep.cce.cornell.edu7facts&slides&self7facts7gen&posaf&health.html

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