harmful effects of insecticides and pesticides

Thousands of non-lethal poisonings and cancer cases each year are attributable to pesticides. People who work regularly with pesticides, such as farmers, are at greater risk of cancer. Further, some pesticides induce immunotoxicity in humans which may lead to immunosuppression, hypersensitivity (allergies), autoimmune diseases, and inflammation children may be especially susceptible to the adverse effects of being exposed to pesticides. The fertility of soil is affected by the death or damage to microorganisms caused by pesticides. They include domestic animal contaminations and deaths, loss of natural antagonists to pests, pesticide resistance, Honeybee and pollination decline, losses to adjacent crops, fishery and bird losses, and contamination of groundwater. On the other hand, the disadvantages to widespread pesticide use are significant. In fact, it has been estimated that investing around $10 billion in pesticides every year saves about $40 billion in crops. In the short-range, pesticides reduce waste of crops, land, water, time, and other valuable resources. Secondary benefits are less immediate, and they include food security, increased export revenues, and reduced international spread of disease. Primary benefits include improved crop and livestock quality and increased crop and livestock yields. Cooper & Hans summarize these benefits as primary and secondary.

There are considerable benefits to pesticide use.

Whether you’re a decision maker in the agricultural industry or a consumer, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of pesticide use.Ī pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances whose purpose is to prevent, extinguish, or repel pests or to regulate plants. In the long term, however, pesticides appear to harm the health of humans and the environment. In the short term, pesticides greatly assist pest control. When it comes to agriculture and the need to meet our world’s growing needs, pesticide use is often a topic of controversy. Our populous, fast-paced world demands quality food that is affordable – and lots of it.

Harmful effects of insecticides and pesticides