An Introduction to Pesticides

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An Introduction to Pesticides

S Govindarajan


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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 n3. 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


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What is a Pesticide?

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 helpcarry 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

"any chemical pesticides are poisonous to humans also.

#esticides are used both in farms and within our homes andgardens. $n this presentation, we will look at pesticide use infarming and how it affects many entities including us consumers.

Insects such as locusts (1), weevils (2) are common pests and destroy crops in manyparts 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 theyeat 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.

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3

5

4

6

2

pesticide is a substance or mi%ture of substances intended forpreventing, destroying, repelling, or lessening the damage of any pest


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Types of Pesticides#esticides come in many forms&

Bactericidesfor the control of bacteria

Fungicidesfor the control of fungi '

oomycetesHerbicidesfor the control of weeds

Insecticidesfor the control of insects these canbe vicides (for eggs), *arvicides (for larva orbaby insects) or dulticides (for mature insects)

Miticidesfor the control of mites

Molluscicidesfor the control of slugs andsnails

Nematicidesfor the control of nematodes

Rodenticidesfor the control of rodents

Virucidesfor the control of viruses

Some pesticides are absorbed by the plants andthus become part of the plants themselves. Suchpesticides are called systemic pesticides. Thepoison then appear in all parts of the plantssuch as leaves and flowers causing manyorganism that consume parts of the plant to beaffected, including humans. ften usefulinsects such as bees which pollinate plants diefrom this.

ost pesticides are also harmfulto humans. *treme care has to

be taken to prepare them foruse. In the top photo, the farmerhas covered himself with #lovesand a coat to prevent any skin

contact. +e has also worn amask to prevent breathin# in the

fumes. In western countries,farmers often use airplanes (ri#htmiddle) to spray pesticides. ot

only does this prevent anycontact between the farmer

and the chemicals, but also alar#e area can be sprayed

within a short time. -armers often

rent airplanes for a day or twodurin# farmin# season.esticides such as molluscicides

for water based pests mayre/uire a different application

(ri#ht bottom). 0ifferent types ofpests re/uire different pesticides.ome common ones are shown

below.


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How Pesticides WorkSome pesticides are contactpesticides. To be effectivethese need to be absorbed through the e%ternal bodysurface or the e%posed plant tissue where the pests reside+for e%ample, tetramethrin used in household fly sprays,

and bipyridillium herbicides such as parauat. -ontactpesticides have to reach their target directly to beeffective.

ther pesticides are systemicin action. Systemic pesticidesare 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, insecticidesthat are absorbed by foliage and translocated throughout theplant where they kill chewing or sucking insects+ ornematicides that are applied to the leaves of plants and aretransferred to the roots of the plant to kill worms orcaterpillars that are attacking the plants roots. Similarly,

blood anticoagulant rodenticides in baits take effect once theyhave been transferred from the digestive system to thebloodstream of rats or mice.

#esticides are most effective on eggs, larvae or seedlings. Thus they must also be appliedat the right time / early in the life of the pest. ny delay in application would render them

ineffective.


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How Pesticides Worknce it reaches the target pest, the chemical may act indifferent ways&

! Blocking the cellular processes of target organisms in a purelymechanical way0y this, the pesticide physically prevents a basiccellular function even without any chemical reactions. 1%ample ofthis would be spray oils that clog the respiratory mechanism ofinsects, petroleum oils that dissolve protective wa%es on someinsects and plants, or the bypyridylium herbicides that destroythe membranes of plant cells leading to their desiccation.

! Destroy or alter the pests metabolism. "etabolism is thetransfer of energy within the cells of organisms, which is essential

for the growth and survival of all living things. There are manyinhibitory pesticides in this category, such as by obstructing therespiratory, germination mechanisms. Sometimes, the pesticidewill undergo transformation to another harmful chemical duringthe pest2s metabolism and thus affect it. 1%ample of these arerotenone and cyanide which disrupt respiratory functions inanimals and sodium monfluoroacetate which gets converted tofluorocitrate 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 inorganiccopper compounds, dithiocarbamate fungicides, phosphonoamino acid herbicides such as glyphosate, and organophosphateinsecticides.

ome commonesticides. hite oilblocks the pests poresand causes suffocation.oundup4 and&learout4 are#lyphosphates.


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How do Pesticides Work Continued! "imulate or otherwise interfere with hormones,

which are messenger chemicals that activate neededbiological functions such as reproduction, to disruptthese cycles. 1%amples are the pheno%y herbicides that

interfere with plant growth hormones and insectgrowth regulators that interfere with cuticle formationin insects during moulting.

! Ner#ous system disruptorsaffect mainly animalgroups such as insects, nematodes and rodents. Someare narcotics such as some fumigant pesticides. thersdisrupt the movement of nerve impulses, such as theorganophosphate, carbamate and pyrethroid

pesticides.

! Disrupt photosynthesis pre#ent the plant $weeds%from producing or storing energyand ultimately killthe plant. 1%amples include the tria3ine, substitutedurea and uracil herbicides.

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 emergingweeds over the lifetime of a crop and insecticides that remain active for several years as a barrier totermites entering buildings.

"any modern pesticides do not persist for long in the environment. They act uickly and are thendegraded to nonto%ic substances by chemical or microbial processes. This helps prevent theirbuildup 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 environmentalfactors such as temperature, moisture, soil p4 and the availability of microorganisms.

eedwhacker5 anduster5 and commonpheno*y6basedherbicide used mainlya#ainst broad leafed

weeds. 7nvil5 is a ,pyrethriod6basedinsecticide used tocombat mos/uitoes.rincep5 is a tria8ine6based pesticide.


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History of Pesticides

4umans have used pesticides for a long time toprevent damage to their crops. -ommontraditional pesticides include plant and animal

derivatives such as neem, chrysanthemums, androtenone derivates or common chemicals such assulfur, mercury and arsenic. 4owever, most wereeither ineffective or to%ic to both humans andanimals. Thus only a small set of these were used.Traditional farmers used other (nonchemical)means to control pests.

The story of modern synthetic pesticides startswith 5orld 5ar $ and the introduction of 66T.6uring the 78thcentury, active research intoscience had yielded several chemicals. ccidentalcontact with some of these indicated they havesome effect on humans. Thus the idea that thesechemicals could be used to affect living organisms

took shape.

*argescale use of synthetic chemicals as weaponsagainst humans first occurred in 5orld 5ar $ byGermany, 0ritain, 9rance and other majorparticipants. -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:, bothfor the e%tensive use of poison gas and theimportance of nitrates and advanced highe%plosives. Their effects evoked interest amongpeople and many scientists started studying themclosely. ;esearch into these and similar chemicals

was funded by many companies and governmentsand continued well after the war.

(ottom 9eft) 7 soldier sufferin#from ustard #as burns durin#

orld ar I (1:1!61:1:) is bein#treated in a hospital. (ottomi#ht) oldiers in a trench use

masks to escape fromchemical weapons. ($op) 7

poison #as attack.


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History of Pesticides: DDTver the ne%t twenty years, 66T became the number oneinsecticide in the world. 9armers started using this inlarge uantities in their fields. 66T was also used byagencies such as the 54 to reduce or prevent the

spread of many killer disease across the world.

0y the mid 78


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History of Pesticides:Modern Environmentalism

The chemical industry with companies such as"onsanto, Jelsicol, merican -yanamid andthe AS 6ept. of griculture reacted to thesecharges with their own. They argued thatthese chemicals were a much needed weaponagainst pests and diseases and that much of

the the ideas in the book were speculation andaimed at creating unnecessary fear in thereaders.

0ut public sentiment against these had beenawakened and the resultant pressure forcedthe AS government to ultimately ban 66T asan insecticide in 78EK. 66T was subseuentlybanned for agricultural use worldwide, but itslimited use in disease vector control continuesto this day in certain parts of the world. Thelimited use of 66T has also helped decreasethe rate at which pests develop immunity to it,thus making it more effective.

;achel -arson2s struggle was an importantmoment in the history of environmentalcampaigns. There is now a strong awarenesson the effects of introducing syntheticchemicals in the environment and oppositionin the world has eventually created interest inorganic farming and other traditional eco

friendly practices.

$n her book, -arson e%plored the subject of environmentalconnectedness& although a pesticide is aimed ateliminating one organism, its effects are felt throughout

the food chain, and what was intended to poison an insectends up poisoning larger animals and humans. She saidthe chemical industry spread misinformation on the use ofchemicals, particularly 66T, to increase consumptioncausing their indiscriminate use and thus damage in theenvironment.

-arson had made it clear she was not advocating the

banning or complete withdrawal of helpful pesticides, butwas instead encouraging responsible and carefullymanaged use with an awareness of the chemicals impacton the entire ecosystem.(9eft) 00$ sprayin# on a public beach as people #o about their normalactivities. uch sprayin# was common before the adverse effects of 00$were known. (i#ht) 7n advertisement for 00$ in the $ime ma#a8ine.achel &arson>www.tc.umn.edu>?allch@@1>1A1">pestcide>sim>back#round.htm

P i id P ll i
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Pesticide PollutionIt 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 inthe 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 lae, riverand stream in the United States.

Similar results are e!pected in any

place where pesticide use is widely

prevalent.

7tra8ine in hite iver, Indiana

0ead8ones are areas of waterbodies where the concentrationof red al#ae and similar or#anisms have increased due to thepresence of nitrates and phosphates from fertili8er andpesticide 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 Bulfof e*ico dead 8one spannin# the coastlines of several states.

P i id P ll i


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Pesticide PollutionThrough Water

ost pesticides do not breakdown in a short time. $hey stay on theplant or end up in soil. 0urin# rains, these residual pesticide wash intorivers and ponds l ike the photo (below left). $he first casualty of theseremnant pesticides are water life such as fish (below), water basedmicro or#anisms such as al#ae, insects and plants. ein# at the

bottom of the foodchain, these are veryimportant to other life

forms. Cther Insects,animals and birdsconsume these andthus the poisonspreads alon# thefood chain. -isheatin# birds suchas ospreys (belowmiddle) and bald

ea#les (below ri#ht)are amon# the firstbi##er species to beaffected by pesticidepresence in water. 7re#ular study ofchemicals in watersources (below farleft)is the first step ateliminatin# thispoisonin#.

Eff t f P ti id E i t


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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 pesticideshas a significant effect on biodiversity.

A diverse environment sustains many types of life-forms all of which are interdependent. These mayrange from microes to insects such as ants! eetlesand wasps to irds to large animals such as theelephant and predators such as fo"es! wolves! wild

dogs! lions! tigers and ears. #uch a system has theaility to maintain its alance so that no one speciesecomes dominant. $hat we consider to e a pestmay also e eneficial to us y consuming andcontrolling other pests. %r they may e sustaining aspecies that feeds on that and other similar pests.&liminating even one of them can cause significant

changes and may result in many others alsoecoming e"tinct in that environment.

P ti id & E i t


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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 uponas 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 isestimated that for every target

animal poisoned, 100-300 non-target

animals die.

At a lower level, pesticides ill soil

microbes and other organisms that tae

part in nitrogen fi!ing and otherimportant natural cycles. $hese affect

the ability of soil to regenerate itself and

remain viable for plant and animal life.

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

Insects, soil and water6based life forms are often the first non6

tar#eted casualties of pesticide usa#e. -ro#s and fish havepermeable skins that absorbs any impurities in surroundin# waterincludin# pesticides. Cn land, insects such as bees and butterfliessuffer the same fate as they consume pesticide6laden plants andflowers. 7t a second level, birds such as owls, pelicans and manyraptors and carrion eaters (ea#les, vultures) which eat either thepoisoned fish or any pest will in#est the same poison.


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Pesticides & Environment ExamplesRoundup Herbicide Kills More Than Weeds: Frog Species are

Rapidly Dying OffDEBORAH 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& lo ,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, $o 'ro)

s"ecies* an, nearl& e!$er#ina$e, a $hir,* re,ucin) $a,"ole richness -& 0

"ercen$. 4an& o' $he ,ea$hs occurre, in $he 'irs$ 2 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. Collec$i+el&*

$he a+aila-le ,a$a in,ica$e $ha$* con$rar& $o con+en$ional is,o#* curren$a""lica$ion ra$es o' Roun,u" can -e hi)hl& le$hal $o #an& s"ecies o'

a#"hi-ians* ri$es Rel&ea in his "a"er 6he I#"ac$ 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. 6he

'e,eral 7a$ional Science Foun,a$ion 'un,e, Rel&ea8s research.

h$$"9//.#in,'ull&.or)/es$ici,e/2005/Roun,u":Kills:A#"hi-ians23jul05.

h$#

Pesticides Spell Doom for bird life in Wayanad

By R Madhavan Nair/(Appeared in THE HINDU, dated 01 April 2003Many !ird "pe#ie" that $n#e livened %p &ayanad'" land"#ape ith their !ri)htly#$l$%red pre"en#e and t%ne*%l #rie" are headed *$r e+tin#ti$n - the threat t$!ird" "ee." t$ have ri"en t$ 'an alar.in) leveld%e t$ indi"#ri.inate %"e $*pe"ti#ide", ha!itat de"tr%#ti$n, ha!itat *ra).entati$n and hi)h level" $*de*$re"tati$n

The inva"i$n $* !anana and are#an%t int$ paddy *ield" and the "hi*t ina)ri#%lt%re pra#ti#e" t$rn "%!"i"ten#e #r$ppin) t$ #a"h #r$ppin) and inten"iveappli#ati$n $* #he.i#al *ertilier" 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"

King Cotton Meet Rachel Carson

B& SA4 HO;E


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Immunity to PesticidesA very important issue is the evolving

immunity of pests to pesticides. Evolution is a

fundamental natural phenomenon that occurs

all the time. 'atural selection and other laws of

evolution help species survive changes in theirenvironment. "onstant application of

pesticides falls in the category of changes in

environment. (ver time pests, targeted bythese pesticides, evolve to be able to survive

their presence in their environment. )hen this

happens, the pesticide becomes ineffective. A

different *and usually stronger+ variety of

pesticide is needed to be as effective. $he rateat 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 thepests. $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.

The slow poisoning of Punjab

Da.a)ed "$il, ille**e#t" *r$. 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"

http://indiat$)ether$r)/200>/*e!/hltp$i"$nht.

All a" *ine till the #$tt$n #r$p a" intr$d%#ed The *ir"t *e year" ere )$$d and!r$%)ht in )$$d ret%rn" B%t hen the A.eri#an !$ll$r. atta#4 #a.e, the #r$p)$t de"tr$yed ani# "tri#4en, the *ar.er" )%ided !y pe"ti#ide dealer", "tartedp%.pin) in h%)e a.$%nt" $* pe"ti#ide Initally, the pe"t" died, !%t later $n, yeara*ter year, the pe"t "tarted devel$pin) i..%nity t$ pe"ti#ide "pray" and#$ntin%ed t$ atta#4 the #$tt$n #r$p and de"tr$y it The pe"t" devel$ped i..%nity*a"t a" pe"ti#ide a" $*ten ad%lterated The !$dy .e#hani". $* the pe"t *$%)hta)ain"t the e+#e""ive "prayin)

5ay" @al 5in)h, a #$tt$n *ar.er in Bhatinda:


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Pesticides and GM cropsGenetic 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 developingplants or crops immune to herbicides that

would otherwise ill a natural occurringspecimen. $his maes 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 thecategory of genetically modified organisms.

)hile this appears a sound development onthe surface, there are several hidden dangers

in this approach. (f relevance to us here is

the danger of overuse of the herbicide. As wehave 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 maing the pesticide ineffective.urthermore, the newly resistant pests and

now immune to naturally occurring

pesticides and microbial predators maingthem /super0 pests1 $hus farmers who rely

on these naturally occurring pests will suffer.

Zero-till farmers air Roundup Ready concerns

By Ian Bell, Brand$n !%rea% "h$rtened

&e"tern r$d%#er, 8riday De#

http://pr$d%#er#$./arti#le"/2001120=/ne"/2001120=ne"06ht.l

In Fhri" Di"ia4'" $pini$n, $ne year $* )ain *r$. )r$in) a her!i#idet$lerant #an$latran"late" int$ three year" $* pain

In 2000, v$l%nteer #an$la appeared in the 1= a#re *ield here R$%nd%p Ready #an$lahad !een planted the year !e*$re The *ield a" planted t$ heat in 2000 - 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 re.ainin) her!i#idet$lerant#an$la 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% grewslowly o!er the ne%t two wees$ 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>,00 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 heatv$l%nteer" and ild $at" He e+pe#t" pr$!le." ith the her!i#idet$lerant #an$la a)ainne+t year hen he plant" pea" $n the *ield Di"ia4 d$%!t" he ill ever )r$ a R$%nd%p

Ready #r$p a)ain !e#a%"e the pr$!le." $%tei)hed the !ene*it" ;I #ertainly didn't "ave.y"el* any .$ney and I #ertainly didn't "ave .y"el* any ti.e;

A #$n#ern a!$%t her!i#idet$lerant #an$la v$l%nteer" a" prevalent thr$%)h$%t the $neday .eetin) R$%nd%p Ready #an$la i" a pr$d%#t $* M$n"ant$

() crops need more pesticide

* new study has re!ealed that pesticide use has increased by a massi!e +, million

pounds ,,$../ metric tonnes0 since 1S farmers started to grow () crops

commercially in .223'

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'u7gm7gm-crops-need-more-pesticide

Eff t f P ti id
http://www.producer.com/articles/20011206/news/20011206news08.htmlhttp://www.producer.com/articles/20011206/news/20011206news08.htmlhttp://www.greenpeace.org.uk/gm/gm-crops-need-more-pesticidehttp://www.greenpeace.org.uk/gm/gm-crops-need-more-pesticidehttp://www.producer.com/articles/20011206/news/20011206news08.html


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Effects of Pesticides onFarmers

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 negligibleeffects while others a large impact. In the

US and elsewhere, pesticides are thusclassified according to its to!icity and attac

mechanism.

Effects of pesticides on farmers may rangefrom short&lived to chronic, minor to seriousand sometimes fatal ailments. $he most

common reason for this is lac ofinformation about the pesticide orunavailability of it to the farmer. In many

cases, farmers do not practice safe

application methods leading to sin contact,inhalation and even ingestion. (veruse ofpesticides compounds this issue as farmers

are e!posed to several times the safe limits.

*cute pesticide poisoning among cut-flower farmers

http://the*reeli!rary#$./A#%tepe"ti#idep$i"$nin)a.$n)#%t*l$er*

The "t%dy rep$rted here a" #$nd%#ted a.$n) #%t*l$er *ar.er" in @aTrinidad hilippine" Thi" .%ni#ipality )r$" #%t *l$er" "%#h a" r$"e",#hry"anthe.%.", an)el'" !reath, and anth%ri%., a##$%ntin) *$r a 0!illi$npe"$ ind%"try The heavy %"e $* pe"ti#ide" ha", h$ever, p$"ed a ri"4 t$ the

health $* the *ar.er" (@%, 200 The *ir"t and "e#$nd pha"e" $* the "t%dy"h$ed that 1 per#ent $* re"p$ndent" rep$rted an illne"" a""$#iated ithpe"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 thepa"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 0 Kther ri"4 *a#t$r" in#l%ded reenterin)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 $* pe"ti#ide" (p J 05y.pt$." in#l%ded eye pain, diine"", and re"pirat$ry pr$!le." (B$i4$ et

al, 200

Pesticides inchildren/Environmental Science &Technology

August 23, 2006: When researchers from theWake Forest University School of Medicinestudied pesticide levels in immigrant

farmworkers, they were surprised to find veryhigh concentrations in their children. Thescientists are now calling for better educationfor farmworkers to protect their children fromexposure (Am. J. Ind. Med. 2006; doi10.1002/ajim.20354).

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

Pesticide Poisoning in a Farmer The case of
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Acute+pesticide+poisoning+among+cut-flower+farmers.-a0168823647http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2006/aug/science/pt_pesticides.html?sa_campaign=rss/cen_mag/estnews/2006-08-23/pt_pesticideshttp://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2006/aug/science/pt_pesticides.html?sa_campaign=rss/cen_mag/estnews/2006-08-23/pt_pesticideshttp://www.thefreelibrary.com/Acute+pesticide+poisoning+among+cut-flower+farmers.-a0168823647


19/251 )

Pesticide Poisoning in a Farmer: The case ofJerry Vann

* 8armer9s :ife Dream ;nds in Disaster in his own

words0

The *$ll$in) i" ta4en *r$. ;e"ti#ide" and L$%;, 8all 15 am a ?@ year old farmer who is dying due to the

chemicals used to grow cheaper food for our tablesA

Mr ann *ar.ed a!$%t 3000 a#re" in the "tate $* Mi""$%ri, U5A )r$in)#$tt$n, heat, .il$ and $ther #r$p" *r$. the early 1=0" In the 10",$in) t$ a la#4 $* *ar. help, he al$n) ith .any *ar.er" t$$4 t$.e#hanied #he.i#al *ar.in) Thi" helped hi. *ar. lar)e tra#t" ith *arle"" la!$r

T$ help "%#h *ar.er", #he.i#al #$.panie" devi"ed "everal pe"ti#ide" and*ertilier" In the "h$rt r%n, the"e ere very help*%l t$ *ar.er" &hile thee**e#t" $* the"e $n h%.an" ere n$t ell "t%died, #$.panie" and the)$vern.ent a)en#y (EA !$th $**ered "everal )eneral pre#a%ti$naryadvi#e t$ *ar.er" handlin) the"e #he.i#al" The"e advi#e, th$%)h "$%nd,ere alay" 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


20/252 *

5S 5BT;(R*T;D P;ST )*B*(;);BT 5P)0 PRC85T*&:;

Kver the pa"t *$%r year"103, 3 )r$er" in#rea"ed their

pr$*it" !y G11 per a#re $n 1,6= a#re" $* "eet #$rn !y red%#in)their #%ll" *r$. 1>P prepr$)ra. t$ 3P a*ter their IM trainin)That'" a t$tal "avin)" $* G3,000 $r G10,200 per )r$er, and.ean" that the avera)e )r$er (3 a#re" #$%ld "ave anadditi$nal G10,200 per year i* he #$ntin%ed t$ %tilie IM 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$rt%#$nned%/ip./ve)/ht."/ip.pr$*itht.

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 seriousand chronic ailments. In many communities,

pesticide spraying season is now considered a

dangerous time to be outside1 Some have evenadvised closures of schools that function near thefarms1

Incidents such as 4erry 2ann3s and others haveprompted serious concern among farmers around

the world. %any farmers have now switched toIntegrated 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 ofcommon&sense practices. IP% programs use

current, comprehensive information on the life

cycles of pests and their interaction with the

environment. $his information, in combinationwith available pest control methods, is used tomanage 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.

>;!en a moderately fertile area lie 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

>www.pesticidereform.or#>article.phpDidE2:F

$ired of seein# their children become ill durin# times of peak pesticidesprayin#, a #roup of concerned residents of 9indsay, $ulare &ountytested 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 ofbreakdown products of the pesticide chlorpyrifos in their urine, andmost of the women had amounts above the level calculated from ;..nvironmental rotection 7#ency data to be safe for pre#nant andnursin# women.

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy:
http://www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm/veg/htms/ipmprofit.htmhttp://www.pesticidereform.org/article.php?id=297http://www.pesticidereform.org/article.php?id=297http://www.pesticidereform.org/article.php?id=297http://www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm/veg/htms/ipmprofit.htm


21/252 1

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy: Pesticides in our midst

$he worst industrial disaster in the history of theworld is related to pesticide production. $hisoccurred in hopal, India on the early hours of0ec. 3, 1:A!.

In this incident, ethyl Isocyanide (I&) ' anin#redient in the production of the insecticide&arbaryl ' produced and stored in the ;nion&arbide plant, escaped into the atmospherekillin# more than 3,@@@ people within a few hours.everal thousands have developed seriousailments over the years stemmin# from e*posureto the chemical Hust that one ni#ht. $heinsecticide, &arbyl, itself is a hi#hly to*ic chemicaland carcino#en (cancer causin# a#ent) tohumans and many insects includin# severalbeneficial ones such as honey bees.

$he tra#edy occurred due to lack of ade/uatesafe#uards in the storin# the chemical and lackof ade/uate warnin# to the public. It hi#hli#hts,amon# others, the need for proper protectionand education to the public on the presence anduse of such to*ic chemicals in their midst.

($op) urvivors of the tra#edy lineup outside thefactory awaitin# treatment. esticides such as9indane (middle) and evin (bottom) are stillbein# stored in unsafe manner in the now

abandoned the factory. hoto source= aude0orr, www.bhopal.or#

Pesticides and Consumers
http://www.bhopal.org/http://www.bhopal.org/


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2 2

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 pesticideshave been used, they may be present in the harvested crop. )hile

some of these may not be harmful to consumers especially insmall -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

$he agencies may not have enough resources to chec all thefood articles. Usually only a small sample is checed and even

these are not rigorously scrutini5ed. (ften, the agency relieson data from the grower.

$he limits are prescribed based on past studies. or many

newer pesticides, independent studies on long&term effectsare 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 badside effects of the pesticides with the good ones.

Public policies are ultimately shaped by public opinion. If thepublic *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.

&+A restricts 2 pesticides! ut deniesany food safety threat

http*00www.cnn.com0)AT&0020pesticide.ris(.20

hen the #overnment announces these chemicalsare unsafe on food theyJre ... announcin#, in effect,that the farm #roups and chemical companies whohave said there is no problem were wron#, Ken &ookof the nvironmental orkin# Broup told &.

ut 7llan Lennin#s, the director of the 7#riculture0epartmentJs Cffice of est ana#ement olicy, insiststhis yearJs crop of apples and produce that have beensprayed with the chemicals are safe.

-arm #roups say no sound scientific basis e*ists forrestrictin# the two pesticides. $hey fear the public willreact by shunnin# this yearJs crops.

($he 7 is) simply actin# on a political deadline andfor a political reason rather than a reason based onsound science, harp told &.

How Ha!e Pesticides &een Regulated in the Past

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

8r$. 16 t$ 1=, the Envir$n.ental r$te#ti$n A)en#y(EA re)%lated pe"ti#ide %"e a##$rdin) t$ the DelaneyFla%"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 *$$d B%t, !y thelate 160", "everal *a#t$r" pr$.pted the reeval%ati$n $* h$t$ e"ti.ate and .ana)e pe"ti#ide ri"4" In 16, a Nati$nalA#ade.y $* 5#ien#e" (NA5 rep$rt revealed that the EA#$n"i"tently ne)le#ted t$ en*$r#e the Delaney Fla%"e1 At the"a.e ti.e, #$n#ern ar$"e $ver the t$leran#e" e"ta!li"hed !ythe EA T$leran#e"the .a+i.%. O%antitie" $* pe"ti#idere"id%e" all$a!le $n *$$dere deter.ined !a"ed $navera)e e+p$"%re $* the entire p$p%lati$n They there*$re did

n$t a##$%nt *$r varia!ility in e+p$"%re pattern", n$r healthri"4" related t$ )e$)raphy, ethni#ity, and a)e

Pesticides in Food
http://www.cnn.com/NATURE/9908/02/pesticide.risk.02/http://www.childenvironment.org/factsheets/pesticides_in_food.htmhttp://www.childenvironment.org/factsheets/pesticides_in_food.htmhttp://www.childenvironment.org/factsheets/pesticides_in_food.htmhttp://www.cnn.com/NATURE/9908/02/pesticide.risk.02/


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2 3

Pesticides in Food

Food Product

Total Different

Pesticides

Found

Total # of

Pesticides in

37 Samples

Average # of

Pesticides

Per Sample

Average Parts Per

Billion Per 100gm

Serving (3! o"

A le $7 1%3 !$ $$&1%0

Butter 17 $1' !% $&170

)arrots 1$ * 17 $&$30)eler+ $$ 1%* !$ '&030

)ollard reens 3% $11 !7 3$&030

)ucum,er 33 1%1 !$ &%!0

- . Soft ,oiled % $0 0! $00

/rapes 3$ 1!$ *1 $0&!%0

/reen e ers $' 1%% !* 31&330

am,ur er $$ $1 !' 1&'$0

ettuce $0 %7 $% 3&%$0

2aisins $1 7 $1 $&'0

Spinac . ,oiled 3 $*! 3&*'0Stra4,erries $% $0* !! '*&%!0

ource= esticides In &ommon -oods 6 -07 tudy

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/tds1byfd.pdf

!esticides in Food

http://n$*any$r)/h$tt$pi#"/pe"ti#ide"in*$$dht.l

An analy"i" .ade !y the Envir$n.ental &$r4in) r$%p $* .$re than110,000 )$vern.entte"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

M$re than a O%arter $* a .illi$n U5 #hildren a)ed 17 in)e"t a#$.!inati$n $* 20 di**erent pe"ti#ide" every day M$re than 1 .illi$npre"#h$$ler" eat at lea"t 1 pe"ti#ide" $n a )iven day Kverall, 20.illi$n #hildren a)ed and %nder eat an avera)e $* 6 pe"ti#ide"every day

5$.e =10,000 #hildren a)ed 17 #$n"%.e a d$"e $* ne%r$t$+i#$r)an$ph$"phate in"e#ti#ide" that the )$vern.ent dee." %n"a*eM$re than hal* $* the"e %n"a*e e+p$"%re" are *r$. $ne pe"ti#ideS.ethyl parathi$n

re"#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##$%nt, 4id" a)ed 17 #$n"%.e 30 ti.e" .$re apple

9%i#e, 21 ti.e" .$re )rape 9%i#e, and ti.e" .$re $ran)e 9%i#e thanthe avera)e per"$n in the p$p%lati$n

Ten year" a*ter the Alar "#are, apple" are "till l$aded ithpe"ti#ide" The avera)e apple ha" re"id%e" $* *$%r pe"ti#ide" a*ter iti" a"hed and #$red 5$.e have re"id%e" $* a" .any a" ten M$rethan 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, $rapple 9%i#e

-ruits are some of thefoods containin#most pesticideresidue.

http=>>www.#uardian

Learn more on pesticide use
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/tds1byfd.pdfhttp://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/tds1byfd.pdfhttp://www.nofany.org/hottopics/pesticidesinfood.htmlhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1880087,00.htmlhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1880087,00.htmlhttp://www.nofany.org/hottopics/pesticidesinfood.htmlhttp://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/tds1byfd.pdfhttp://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/tds1byfd.pdfhttp://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/tds1byfd.pdfhttp://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/tds1byfd.pdfhttp://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/tds1byfd.pdfhttp://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/tds1byfd.pdfhttp://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/tds1byfd.pdfhttp://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/tds1byfd.pdf


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2 4

Learn more on pesticide use&learly, the use of pesticides re/uires acareful lon#6term study of both the benefitsand ill6effects. 7s we learn more aboutpesticides and their effects on theenvironment, users and consumers, it isapparent that at the very least, their useneeds to be limited. uch a limit is alsouseful in maintainin# their effectiveness tothe tar#et pests.

$o complement this, a betterunderstandin# of how nature works andmaintains a balance between differentspecies is needed. uch an understandin#also helps us preserve biodiversity uponwhich all species includin# human societiesdepend for survival.

7s farmers and the public learn more aboutthis, newer and more nature6friendlytechni/ues such as or#anic farmin# andI have evolved. 7 basic understandin#of pesticides and other chemicals used inour food production is also necessary forthe #eneral public since they are theultimate arbiters of public policy.

9ist of symptoms caused by poisonin# with commonly used pesticides (top).uchinformation has led to several awareness campai#ns such as the ones on ri#ht

(source= http=>>www.oakville#reen.com>html>pesticides.htm)

Useful information sources
http://www.oakvillegreen.com/html/pesticides.htmhttp://www.oakvillegreen.com/html/pesticides.htm


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Useful information sources

Pesticide "lassification6http677www.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 levels6http677www.sustainablefood.com7guide7residues.html

Pesticide side effects6

http677pmep.cce.cornell.edu7facts&slides&self7facts7ge
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/types.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/ag_faq.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/ag_faq.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/ag_faq.htmhttp://docs.pesticideinfo.org/Docs/ref_general1.htmlhttp://docs.pesticideinfo.org/Docs/ref_general1.htmlhttp://www.sustainablefood.com/guide/residues.htmlhttp://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/facts-slides-self/facts/gen-posaf-health.htmlhttp://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/facts-slides-self/facts/gen-posaf-health.htmlhttp://www.sustainablefood.com/guide/residues.htmlhttp://docs.pesticideinfo.org/Docs/ref_general1.htmlhttp://docs.pesticideinfo.org/Docs/ref_general1.htmlhttp://docs.pesticideinfo.org/Docs/ref_general1.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/ag_faq.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/ag_faq.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/ag_faq.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/ag_faq.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/ag_faq.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/ag_faq.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/ag_faq.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/ag_faq.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/ag_faq.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/ag_faq.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/types.htm

Documents

An Introduction to Pesticides