A cropduster spreading pesticide.

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines a pesticide as "any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest".^[1] from www. ... An agricultural aircraft is an aircraft that has been built or converted for agricultural use - usually aerial spraying of pesticides or fertiliser. ... EPA redirects here. ... EPA redirects here. ... Beetle larvae damaging a specimen of Sceliphron destillatorius in an entomological collection A pest is an organism which has characteristics that are regarded as injurious or unwanted. ...

A pesticide may be a chemical substance or biological agent (such as a virus or bacteria) used against pests including insects, plant pathogens, weeds, mollusks, birds, mammals, fish, nematodes (roundworms) and microbes that compete with humans for food, destroy property, spread disease or are a nuisance. Many pesticides are poisonous to humans. A chemical substance is any material substance used in or obtained by a process in chemistry: A chemical compound is a substance consisting of two or more chemical elements that are chemically combined in fixed proportions. ... Larval form of some beetle is damaging specimen of Sceliphron destillatorius in entomogical collection. ... Orders See taxonomy Insects are invertebrates that are taxonomically referred to as the class Insecta. ... A pathogen or infectious agent is a biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host. ... A common weed flower The notion of what constitutes a weed is almost entirely in the eye of the beholder. ... Classes Caudofoveata Aplacophora Polyplacophora Monoplacophora Bivalvia Scaphopoda Gastropoda Cephalopoda † Rostroconchia The mollusks or molluscs are the large and diverse phylum Mollusca, which includes a variety of familiar creatures well-known for their decorative shells or as seafood. ... Orders Many - see section below. ... Orders Multituberculata (extinct) Palaeoryctoides (extinct) Triconodonta (extinct) Subclass Australosphenida Ausktribosphenida Monotremata Subclass Eutheria (excludes extinct ancestors) Afrosoricida Anagaloidea (extinct) Arctostylopida (extinct) Artiodactyla Carnivora Cetacea Chiroptera Cimolesta (extinct) Cingulata Creodonta (extinct) Condylarthra (extinct) Dermoptera Desmostylia (extinct) Dinocerata (extinct) Embrithopoda (extinct) Hyracoidea Insectivora Lagomorpha Leptictida (extinct) Litopterna (extinct) Macroscelidea Mesonychia (extinct) Notoungulata... A giant grouper at the Georgia Aquarium Fish are aquatic vertebrates that are typically cold-blooded; covered with scales, and equipped with two sets of paired fins and several unpaired fins. ... Classes Adenophorea    Subclass Enoplia    Subclass Chromadoria Secernentea    Subclass Rhabditia    Subclass Spiruria    Subclass Diplogasteria The roundworms or nematodes (Phylum Nematoda from Gr. ... A microorganism or microbe is an organism that is so small that it is microscopic (invisible to the naked eye). ... The skull and crossbones symbol traditionally used to label a poisonous substance. ...

Types of Pesticides

• Bactericides for the control of bacteria
• Herbicides for the control of weeds
• Fungicides for the control of fungi
• Insecticides for the control of insects - these can be Ovicides, Larvicides or Adulticides
• Miticides for the control of mites
• Nematicides for the control of worms
• Rodenticides for the control of rodents
• Virucides for the control of viruses

Pesticides can also be classed as synthetic pesticides or biological pesticides, although the distinction can sometimes blur. A bacteriocide or bactericide is a substance that kills bacteria and, preferably, nothing else. ... Phyla Actinobacteria Aquificae Chlamydiae Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Chloroflexi Chrysiogenetes Cyanobacteria Deferribacteres Deinococcus-Thermus Dictyoglomi Fibrobacteres/Acidobacteria Firmicutes Fusobacteria Gemmatimonadetes Lentisphaerae Nitrospirae Planctomycetes Proteobacteria Spirochaetes Thermodesulfobacteria Thermomicrobia Thermotogae Verrucomicrobia Bacteria (singular: bacterium) are unicellular microorganisms. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A common weed flower The notion of what constitutes a weed is almost entirely in the eye of the beholder. ... A Fungicide is one of three main methods of pest control- chemical control of fungi in this case. ... Divisions Chytridiomycota Zygomycota Glomeromycota Ascomycota Basidiomycota Deuteromycota The fungi (singular fungus) are a kingdom of eukaryotic organisms. ... An insecticide is a pesticide used against insects in all developmental forms. ... Orders See taxonomy Insects are invertebrates that are taxonomically referred to as the class Insecta. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Miticides are pesticides that kill mites. ... Families Tetranychidae - Spider mites Eriophyidae - Gall mites Sarcoptidae - Sarcoptic Mange mites The mites and ticks, order Acarina or Acari, belong to the Arachnida and are among the most diverse and successful of all the invertebrate groups, although some way behind the insects. ... A nematicide is a chemical used to kill parasitic nematodes (a phylum of worms). ... A worm is an elongated soft-bodied invertebrate animal. ... Rat poisons are a category of pest control chemicals intended to kill rats. ... Suborders Sciuromorpha Castorimorpha Myomorpha Anomaluromorpha Hystricomorpha Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents. ... Groups I: dsDNA viruses II: ssDNA viruses III: dsRNA viruses IV: (+)ssRNA viruses V: (-)ssRNA viruses VI: ssRNA-RT viruses VII: dsDNA-RT viruses A virus (Latin, poison) is a microscopic particle that can infect the cells of a biological organism. ...

A systemic pesticide is a pesticide applied to a plant which is absorbed into its sap and so distributed throughout the plant to make all parts of it poisonous to pests, without harming the plant, although systemic insecticides which poison pollen and nectar in the flowers may kill needed pollinators. SEM image of pollen grains from a variety of common plants: sunflower (Helianthus annuus), morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea), hollyhock (Sidalcea malviflora), lily (Lilium auratum), primrose (Oenothera fruticosa), and castor bean (Ricinus communis). ... In Greek mythology, nectar and ambrosia are the food of the gods. ... Clivia miniata A cluster of flowers (Clivia miniata) A flower, (<Old French flo(u)r<Latin florem<flos), also known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also called angiosperms). ... A pollinator is the agent that moves pollen from the male anthers of a flower to the female stigma of a flower to accomplish fertilization or syngamy of the female gamete in the ovule of the flower by the male gamete from the pollen grain. ...

History

Since before 500 BC, humans have used pesticides to prevent damage to their crops. The first known pesticide was elemental sulfur dusting used in Sumeria about 4,500 years ago. By the 15th century, toxic chemicals such as arsenic, mercury and lead were being applied to crops to kill pests. In the 17th century, nicotine sulfate was extracted from tobacco leaves for use as an insecticide. The 19th century saw the introduction of two more natural pesticides, pyrethrum which is derived from chrysanthemums, and rotenone which is derived from the roots of tropical vegetables.^{[citation needed]} Centuries: 7th century BC - 6th century BC - 5th century BC Decades: 550s BC - 540s BC - 530s BC - 520s BC - 510s BC - 500s BC - 490s BC - 480s BC - 470s BC - 460s BC - 450s BC Events and Trends 509 BC - Foundation of the Roman Republic 508 BC - Office of pontifex maximus created... General Name, Symbol, Number sulfur, S, 16 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 16, 3, p Appearance lemon yellow Atomic mass 32. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... General Name, Symbol, Number arsenic, As, 33 Chemical series metalloids Group, Period, Block 15, 4, p Appearance metallic gray Atomic mass 74. ... General Name, Symbol, Number mercury, Hg, 80 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 12, 6, d Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 200. ... General Name, Symbol, Number lead, Pb, 82 Chemical series poor metals Group, Period, Block 14, 6, p Appearance bluish white Atomic mass 207. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... Species Nicotiana acuminata Nicotiana alata Nicotiana attenuata Nicotiana benthamiana Nicotiana clevelandii Nicotiana excelsior Nicotiana forgetiana Nicotiana glauca Nicotiana glutinosa Nicotiana langsdorffii Nicotiana longiflora Nicotiana obtusifolia Nicotiana paniculata Nicotiana plumbagifolia Nicotiana quadrivalvis Nicotiana repanda Nicotiana rustica Nicotianasuaveolens Nicotiana sylvestris Nicotiana tabacum Nicotiana tomentosa Ref: ITIS 30562 as of August 26, 2005... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century &#8212; 19th century &#8212; 20th century &#8212; more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium, Family Asteraceae) is a perennial African plant with a daisy-like appearance and white, pink or red flowers. ... Species Chrysanthemum aphrodite Chrysanthemum arcticum Chrysanthemum argyrophyllum Chrysanthemum arisanense Chrysanthemum boreale Chrysanthemum chalchingolicum Chrysanthemum chanetii Chrysanthemum coronarium Chrysanthemum crassum Chrysanthemum glabriusculum Chrysanthemum hypargyrum Chrysanthemum indicum Chrysanthemum japonense Chrysanthemum japonicum Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium Chrysanthemum mawii Chrysanthemum maximowiczii Chrysanthemum mongolicum Chrysanthemum morii Chrysanthemum okiense Chrysanthemum oreastrum Chrysanthemum ornatum Chrysanthemum pacificum Chrysanthemum potentilloides Chrysanthemum... Rotenone (CAS number 83-79-4) is a colorless-to-blue, foul smelling solid. ... Vegetables on a market Vegetable is a nutritional and culinary term denoting any part of a plant that is commonly consumed by humans as food, but is not regarded as a culinary fruit, nut, herb, spice, or grain. ...

In 1939, Paul Müller discovered that DDT was a very effective insecticide. It quickly became the most widely-used pesticide in the world. However, in the 1960s, it was discovered that DDT was preventing many fish-eating birds from reproducing which was a huge threat to biodiversity. Rachel Carson wrote the best-selling book "Silent Spring" about biological magnification. DDT is now banned in at least 86 countries, but it is still used in some developing nations to prevent malaria and other tropical diseases by killing mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects. 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Paul Hermann Müller (January 12, 1899 – October 12, 1965) was a Swiss chemist and winner of the 1948 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his 1939 discovery of the insecticidal properties of DDT. Müller was born in Olten/Solothurn. ... DDT was the first modern pesticide and is arguably the best known organic pesticide. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ... Rainforests are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on earth Biodiversity or biological diversity is the diversity of life. ... Rachel Louise Carson (27 May 1907 – 14 April 1964) was a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-born zoologist and marine biologist whose landmark book, Silent Spring, is often credited with having launched the global environmental movement. ... Silent Spring was written by Rachel Carson and published in September, 1962. ... Biomagnification, also known as bioamplification, or biological magnification is the increase in concentration of an element or compound, such as DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, a type of pesticide) that occurs in a food chain as a consequence of: food chain energetics; or lack of, or very slow, excretion or degradation of the... Malaria is an infectious disease that is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions. ... This article is about the insect; for the WWII aircraft see De Havilland Mosquito. ...

Pesticide use has increased 50-fold since 1950, and 2.5 million tons of industrial pesticides are now used each year.^{[citation needed]} 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Regulation

In most countries, in order to sell or use a pesticide, it must be approved by a government agency. For example, in the United States, the EPA does so. Complex and costly studies must be conducted to indicate whether the material is effective against the intended pest and safe to use. During the registration process, a label is created which contains directions for the proper use of the material. Based on acute toxicity, pesticides are assigned to a Toxicity Class. Pesticide misuse is illegal in most countries. EPA redirects here. ... Toxicity Class refers to a classification system for pesticides created by a national or international government-related or -sponsored organization. ... Under United States laws, pesticide misuse is the use of a pesticide in a way that violates laws regulating their use or endangers humans or the environment; many of these regulations are laid out in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, FIFRA. The most common example of pesticide misuse...

Preparing for the spread of pesticides.

Some pesticides are considered too hazardous for sale to the general public and are designated restricted use pesticides. Only certified applicators, who have passed an exam, may purchase or supervise the application of restricted use pesticides. Records of sales and use are required to be maintained and may be audited by government agencies charged with the enforcement of pesticide regulations. Pesticide to be sprayed on food crops. ... Pesticide to be sprayed on food crops. ... Hazard is a term used in evaluating safety: A hazard is a potential unwanted event. ... Because of safety concerns, some pesticides are not available to the general public in the USA. The Restricted Use classification restricts a product, or its uses, to use by a certificated pesticide applicator or under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. ...

"Read and follow label directions" is a phrase often quoted by extension agents, garden columnists and others teaching about pesticides. This is not merely good advice; it is the law, at least in the U.S. Similar laws exist in limited parts of the rest of the world. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of 1972 (FIFRA) set up the current system of pesticide regulations. It was amended somewhat by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. Its purpose is to make pesticide manufacture, distribution and use as safe as possible. The most important points for users to understand are these: it is a violation to apply any pesticide in a manner not in accordance with the label for that pesticide, and it is a crime to do so intentionally. is only done after a period of data collection to determine the effectiveness for its intended use, appropriate dosage, and hazards of the particular material. ...

Effects of pesticide use

On the environment

Pesticides have been found to pollute virtually every lake, river and stream in the United States, according to the US Geological Survey. Pesticide runoff has been found to be highly lethal to amphibians, according to a recent study by the University of Pittsburgh. Pesticide impacts on aquatic systems are often studied using a hydrology transport model to study movement and fate of chemicals in rivers and streams. Runoff flowing into a stormwater drain Surface runoff is water, from rain, snowmelt, or other sources, that flows over the land surface, and is a major component of the water cycle[1][2]. Runoff that occurs on surfaces before reaching a channel is also called overland flow. ... River in Madagascar relatively free of sediment load An hydrological transport model is a mathematical model used to simulate river or stream flow and calculate water quality parameters. ...

The use of pesticides also decreases biodiversity in the soil. Not using them results in higher soil quality^[2] with the additional effect that more life in the soil allows for higher water retention. This helps increase yields for farms in drought years where there is less rain. For example, during drought years, organic farms have been found to have yields 20-40% higher than conventional farms.^[3]

On farmers

There have been many studies of farmers with the goal of determining the health effects of pesticide exposure.^[4] Research in Bangldesh suggests that many farmers' do not need to apply pesticide to their rice fields, but continue to do so only because the pesticide is paid for by the government. [1] Organophosphate pesticides have increased in use, because they are less damaging to the environment and they are less persistent than organochlorine pesticides.^[5] These are associated with acute health problems such as abdominal pain, dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, as well as skin and eye problems.^[6] Additionally, many studies have indicated that pesticide exposure is associated with long-term health problems such as respiratory problems, memory disorders, dermatologic conditions,^[7][8] cancer,^[9] depression, neurologic deficits,^[10][11] miscarriages, and birth defects.^[12] Summaries of peer-reviewed research have examined the link between pesticide exposure and neurologic outcomes and cancer, perhaps the two most significant things resulting in organophosphate-exposed workers.^[13][14] An organophosphate (sometimes abbreviated OP) is the general name for esters of phosphoric acid and is one of the organophosphorus compounds. ...

On consumers

A study published by the United States National Research Council in 1993 determined that for infants and children, the major source of exposure to pesticides is through diet.^[15] A recent study in 2006 measured the levels of organophosphorus pesticide exposure in 23 school children before and after replacing their diet with organic food (food grown without synthetic pesticides). In this study it was found that levels of organophosphorus pesticide exposure dropped dramatically and immediately when the children switched to an organic diet ^[16]. The National Research Council of the USA is the working arm of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering, carrying out most of the studies done in their names. ... An organically-grown apple. ... Organophosphorus compounds are chemical compounds containing carbon phosphorus bonds. ...

Pesticide residues in food

The Pesticide Data Program, a program started by the United States Department of Agriculture is the largest tester of pesticide residues on food sold in the United States. It began in 1990, and has since tested over 60 different types of food for over 400 different types of pesticides - with samples collected close to the point of consumption. Their most recent summary results are from the year 2004: The United States Department of Agriculture (also called the Agriculture Department, or USDA) is a United States Federal Executive Department (or Cabinet Department). ...

• Pesticide Data Program (Feb 2006). "Annual Summary Calendar Year 2004" (pdf). USDA. Retrieved on 2006-07-24.

For example, on page 30 is comprehensive data on pesticides on fruits. Some example data: 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... July 24 is the 205th day (206th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 160 days remaining. ...

They were also able to test for multiple pesticides within a single sample and found that:

These data indicate that 29.5 percent of all samples tested contained no detectable pesticides [parent

compound and metabolite(s) combined], 30 percent contained 1 pesticide, and slightly over 40 percent

contained more than 1 pesticide. - page 34.

The Environmental Working Group used the results of nearly 43,000 tests for pesticides on produce collected by the USDA and the U.S. FDA between 2000 and 2004, to produce a ranking of 43 commonly eaten fruits & vegetables.[2] The Environmental Working Group is a public watchdog group specializing in environmental investigations in the areas of toxins, agricultural subsidies, public lands, and corporate accountability. ... The United States Department of Agriculture (also called the Agriculture Department, or USDA) is a United States Federal Executive Department (or Cabinet Department). ... The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and is responsible for regulating food (humans and animal), dietary supplements, drugs (human and animal), cosmetics, medical devices (human and animal) and radiation emitting devices (including non-medical devices), biologics, and...

Dangers of pesticides

Atrazine use in pounds per square mile by county. Atrazine is one of the most commonly used pesticides in the United States. (From USGS Pesticide Use Maps)

Pesticides can present danger to consumers, bystanders, or workers during manufacture, transport, or during and after use^{[citation needed]}. There is concern that pesticides used to control pests on food crops are dangerous to the consumer. These concerns are one reason for the organic food movement. Many food crops, including fruits and vegetables, contain pesticide residues after being washed or peeled (see Pesticide residues in food, above). Residues, permitted by US government safety standards, are limited to tolerance levels that are considered safe, based on average daily consumption of these foods by adults and children. Image File history File links Atrazine_use_map_1997. ... Image File history File links Atrazine_use_map_1997. ... Atrazine Atrazine, 2-chloro-4-(ethylamine)-6-(isopropylamine)-s-triazine, is a s-triazine-ring herbicide that is used globally to stop pre and post emergence broadleaf and grassy weeds in major crops. ... An organically-grown apple. ... When pesticides are applied to food crops, some pesticide may remain on or in the food. ... A cropduster spreading pesticide. ...

Tolerance levels are obtained using scientific risk assessments that pesticide manufacturers are required to produce by conducting toxicological studies, exposure modelling and residue studies before a particular pesticide can be registered, however, the effects are tested for single pesticides, and there is no information on possible synergistic effects of exposure to multiple pesticide traces in the air, food and water^{[citation needed]}. This page is a candidate to be copied to Wiktionary. ...

The remaining exposure routes, in particular pesticide drift, are potentially significant to the general public^{[citation needed]}. Risk of exposure to pesticide applicators, or other workers in the field after pesticide application, may also be significant and is regulated as part of the pesticide registration process.

Children have been found to be especially susceptible to the harmful effects of pesticides. A number of research studies have found higher instances of brain cancer, leukemia and birth defects in children with early exposure to pesticides, according to the National Resources Defense Council.

Peer-reviewed studies now suggest neurotoxic effects on developing animals from organophosphate pesticides at legally-tolerable levels, including fewer nerve cells, smaller birth weights, and lower cognitive scores. The EPA finished a 10 year review of the organophosphate pesticides following the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act, but did little to account for developmental neurotoxic effects, drawing strong criticism from within the agency and from outside researchers. Environmental Health Perspectives An organophosphate (sometimes abbreviated OP) is the general name for esters of phosphoric acid and is one of the organophosphorus compounds. ... EPA redirects here. ... An organophosphate (sometimes abbreviated OP) is the general name for esters of phosphoric acid and is one of the organophosphorus compounds. ...

Besides human health risks, pesticides also pose dangers to the environment^{[citation needed]}. Non-target organisms can be severely impacted. In some cases, where a pest insect has some controls from a beneficial predator or parasite, an insecticide application can kill both pest and beneficial populations. The beneficial organism almost always takes longer to recover than the pest. Pesticides sprays in an effort to control adult mosquitoes, may temporarily depress mosquito populations, however they may result in a larger population in the long run by damaging the natural controlling factors^{[citation needed]}. For most people, when they think of insects, they think of pests such as mosquitoes or tomato worms. ... This snapping turtle is trying to make a meal of a Canada goose, but the goose is too wary. ... A parasite is an organism that spends a significant portion of its life in or on the living tissue of a host organism and which causes harm to the host without immediately killing it. ... Diversity 41 genera Genera See text. ...

Pesticides inflict extremely widespread damage to biota, and many countries have acted to discourage pesticide usage through their Biodiversity Action Plans. Misuse of pesticides can also cause pollinator decline, which can adversely affect food crops. Biota can refer to several things: The plant and animal life of a region; see biota (ecology) A municipality in Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain; see Biota (municipality) A superdomain in taxonomy; see Biota (taxonomy) Biota Holdings, the Australian biotech company This is a disambiguation page &#8212; a navigational aid which lists... Diademed Sifaka, an endangered primate of Madagascar A Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) is an internationally recognized programme addressing threatened species and habitats, which is designed to protect and restore biological systems. ... Pollinator decline is based on observations made at the end of the twentieth century of the reduction in abundance of pollinators in many ecosystems worldwide. ...

An early discovery relating to pesticide use, is that pests may eventually evolve to become resistant to chemicals. When sprayed with pesticides, many pests will initially be very susceptible. However, not all pests are killed, and some with slight variations in their genetic make-up are resistant and therefore survive. Through natural selection, the pests may eventually become very resistant to the pesticide. Farmers may resort to increased use of pesticides, exacerbating the problem^{[citation needed]}. In 1832, while traveling on the Beagle, naturalist Charles Darwin collected giant fossils in South America. ... The Galápagos Islands hold 13 species of finches that are closely related and differ most markedly in the shape of their beaks. ...

‘'Persistent Organic Pollutants’' (POPs) are one of the lesser-known environmental issues raised as result of using pesticides. POPs may continue to poison non-target organisms in the environment and increase risk to humans^{[citation needed]} by disruption in the endocrine system, cancer, infertility and mutagenic effects, although very little is currently known about these ‘chronic effects’. Many of the chemicals used in pesticides are persistent soil contaminants, whose impact may endure for decades, and adversely affect soil conservation^{[citation needed]}. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a class of chemicals that persist in the environment, are capable of long-range transport, bioaccumulate in human and animal tissue, and have significant impacts on human health and the environment. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these cells to invade other tissues, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis. ... Infertility is the inability to naturally conceive a child or to carry a pregnancy to full term. ... This article is about mutation in biology, for other meanings see: mutation (disambiguation). ... Excavation of leaking undergound storage tank causing soil contamination Soil contamination is the presence of man-made chemicals or other alteration to the natural soil environment. ... Sheep pasture with macroscale erosion, Australia Soil conservation is a set of management strategies for prevention of soil being eroded from the earth’s surface or becoming chemically altered by overuse, salinization, acidification, or other chemical soil contamination. ...

A new study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, has discovered a 70% increase in the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease for people exposed to even low levels of pesticides.^[17]

Managing pest resistance

Pest resistance to a pesticide is commonly managed through pesticide rotation or tankmixing with other pesticides^{[citation needed]}.

Rotation involves alternating among pesticide classes with different modes of action to delay the onset of or mitigate existing pest resistance. Different pesticide classes may be active on different pest sites of action. The U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA or USEPA) designates different classes of fungicides, herbicides and insecticides. Pesticide manufacturers may, on product labeling, require that no more than a specified number of consecutive applications of a pesticide class be made before alternating to a different pesticide class. This manufacturer requirement is intended to extend the useful life of a product.

Tankmixing pesticides is the combination of two or more pesticides with different modes of action. This practice may improve individual pesticide application results in addition to the benefit of delaying the onset of or mitigating existing pest resistance.

Continuing development of pesticides

Pesticides are often highly efficient for producers who are in the business of large scale agriculture. Pesticide safety education and pesticide applicator regulation are designed to protect the public from pesticide misuse, but do not eliminate all misuse. Reducing the use of pesticides and replacing high risk pesticides is the ultimate solution to reducing risks placed on our society from pesticide use. For over 30 years, there has been a trend in the United States and in many other parts of the world to use pesticides in combination with alternative pest controls. This use of integrated pest management (IPM) is now commonplace in US agriculture. With pesticide regulations that now put a higher priority on reducing the risks of pesticides in our food supply and emphasize environmental protection, old pesticides are being phased out in favor of new reduced risk pesticides. Many of these reduced risk pesticides include biological and botanical derivatives and alternatives. As a result, older, more hazardous, pesticides are being phased out and replaced with pest controls that reduce these health and environmental risks. Chemical engineers continually develop new pesticides to produce enhancements over previous generations of products. In addition, applicators are being encouraged to consider alternative controls and adopt methods that reduce the use of chemical pesticides. This process is on-going and is not an immediate solution to the risks of pesticide use. IPM bollworm trap Cotton field Manning, South Carolina In agriculture, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a pest control strategy that uses an array of complementary methods: natural predators and parasites, pest-resistant varieties (see GMO), cultural practices, biological controls, various physical techniques, and pesticides as a last resort. ...

In 2006 the World Health Organization suggested the resumption of the limited use of DDT to fight malaria. They called for the use of DDT to coat the inside walls of houses in areas where mosquitoes are prevalent. Dr. Arata Kochi, WHO's malaria chief, said ,"One of the best tools we have against malaria is indoor residual house spraying. Of the dozen insecticides WHO has approved as safe for house spraying, the most effective is DDT." 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, acting as a coordinating authority on international public health, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. ... Malaria is an infectious disease that is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions. ... This article is about the insect; for the WWII aircraft see De Havilland Mosquito. ... Arata Kochi, a Japanese physician and public health expert, is the director of the World Health Organizations malaria program. ...

Pesticide use maps in the US

The US Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program published a 1997 Pesticide Use Maps which shows estimates of pesticide type and intensity of pesticide use by business of mass food production.

Trivia

In the Roald Dahl book James and the giant peach the word 'pesticide' is used to refer to an insect committing suicide. Roald Dahl (IPA: ) (September 13, 1916 – November 23, 1990) was a British novelist and short story author of Norwegian descent, famous as a writer for both children and adults. ... James and the Giant Peach book cover James and the Giant Peach is a childrens book by Roald Dahl, originally illustrated by Nancy Ekholm Burkert, first published in the USA in 1961 by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. ...

See also

• agrichemicals
• DDT
• List of environmental health hazards
• Pesticide misuse
• Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
• Integrated Pest Management
• Nonpoint source pollution
• Pesticide poisoning
• Soil contamination
• Temik
• Alar
• Pesticide toxicity to bees
• Bt corn
• Protectant
• Non-pesticide management
• Water pollution
• Organophosphates

In agriculture, agrichemical (or agrochemical) is a generic term for the various synthetic chemical products manufactured and sold for use in growing crops. ... DDT was the first modern pesticide and is arguably the best known organic pesticide. ... There are numerous health hazards that can affect people in their natural environment. ... Under United States laws, pesticide misuse is the use of a pesticide in a way that violates laws regulating their use or endangers humans or the environment; many of these regulations are laid out in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, FIFRA. The most common example of pesticide misuse... is only done after a period of data collection to determine the effectiveness for its intended use, appropriate dosage, and hazards of the particular material. ... IPM bollworm trap Cotton field Manning, South Carolina In agriculture, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a pest control strategy that uses an array of complementary methods: natural predators and parasites, pest-resistant varieties (see GMO), cultural practices, biological controls, various physical techniques, and pesticides as a last resort. ... Nonpoint source pollution (NPS) does not come from a single source like point source pollution. ... Pesticide poisonings, where chemicals intended to control a pest affect non-target organisms such as humans, wildlife, or bees. ... Excavation of leaking underground storage tank causing soil contamination Soil contamination is the presence of man made chemicals or other alteration to the natural soil environment. ... Temik, the active ingredient is aldicarb, is a pesticide now owned and manufactured by Bayer CropScience, but was formerly owned and produced by the now infamous Union Carbide. ... Daminozide (trade name Alar) is a pesticide sprayed on apples to regulate their growth, make their harvest easier, and enhance their color. ... Pesticides vary in their effect on bees. ... Genetically modified maize (corn) has been engineered and is grown commercailly in the United States. ... Protectants are pesticidal substances that are produced by plants to protect the plant from insects and other harmful organisms. ... Non-pesticide management (NPM) is all kinds of methods for agriculture ( the term seem to mainly refer to cotton ) that do not rely on pesticides. ... Water pollution Water pollution is a large set of adverse effects upon water bodies (lakes, rivers, oceans, groundwater) caused by human activities. ... An organophosphate (sometimes abbreviated OP) is the general name for esters of phosphoric acid and is one of the organophosphorus compounds. ...

References

1. ^ What is a Pesticide? (US EPA definitions) retrieved June 24, 2006
2. ^ Johnston, A. E. (1986). "Soil organic-matter, effects on soils and crops". Soil Use Management 2: 97-105.
3. ^ Lotter, D. W., Seidel, R. & Liebhardt W. (2003). "The performance of organic and conventional cropping systems in an extreme climate year". American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 18: 146-154.
4. ^ Linda A. McCauley, et.al. (2006). "Studying Health Outcomes in Farmworker Populations Exposed to Pesticides". Environmental Health Perspectives 114.
5. ^ Jaga K, Dharmani C. 2003. Sources of exposure to and public health implications of organophosphate pesticides. Pan Am J Public Health 14(3):171–185.
6. ^ Ecobichon DJ. 1996. Toxic effects of pesticides. In: Casarett and Doull's Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons (Klaassen CD, Doull J, eds). 5th ed. New York:MacMillan, 643–689.
7. ^ Arcury TA, Quandt SA, Mellen BG. 2003. An exploratory analysis of occupational skin disease among Latino migrant and seasonal farmworkers in North Carolina. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health 9(3):221–32.
8. ^ O'Malley MA. 1997. Skin reactions to pesticides. Occupational Medicine 12:327–345.
9. ^ Daniels JL, Olshan AF, Savitz DA. 1997. Pesticides and childhood cancers. Environmental Health Perspectives 105: 1068–1077.
10. ^ Kamel F, et.al. (2003). "Neurobehavioral performance and work experience in Florida farmworkers". Environmental Health Perspectives 111: 1765-1772.
11. ^ Firestone JA, Smith-Weller T, Franklin G, Swanson P, Longsteth WT, Checkoway H. 2005. Pesticides and risk of Parkinson disease: a population-based case-control study. Archives of Neurology 62(1):91–95.
12. ^ Engel LS, O'Meara ES, Schwartz SM. 2000. Maternal occupation in agriculture and risk of limb defects in Washington State, 1980-1993. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health 26(3): 193–198.
    Cordes DH, Rea DF. 1988. Health hazards of farming. American Family Physician 38:233–243.
    Das R, Steege A, Baron S, Beckman J, Harrison R. 2001. Pesticide-related illness among migrant farm workers in the United States. Int J Occup Environ Health 7: 303–312.
    Eskenazi B, Bradman A, Castorina R. 1999. Exposures of children to organophosphate pesticides and their potential adverse health effects. Environmental Health Perspectives 107(suppl 3):409–419.
    Garcia AM. 2003. Pesticide exposure and women's health. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 44(6):584–594.
    Moses M. 1989. Pesticide-related health problems and farmworkers. AAOHN 37:115–130.
    Schwartz DA, Newsum LA, Heifetz RM. 1986. Parental occupational and birth outcome in an agricultural community. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health 12:51–54
    Stallones L, Beseler C. 2002. Pesticide illness, farm practices, and neurological symptoms among farm residents in Colorado. Environ Res 90:89–97.
    Strong, LL, Thompson B, Coronado GD, Griffith WC, Vigoren EM, Islas I. 2004. Health symptoms and exposure to organophosphate pesticides in farmworkers. Am J Ind Med 46:599–606.
    Van Maele-Fabry G, Willems JL. 2003. Occupation related pesticide exposure and cancer of the prostate: a meta-analysis. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 60(9): 634–642.
    
13. ^ Alavanja MC, Hoppin JA, Kamel F. 2004. Health effects of chronic pesticide exposure: cancer and neurotoxicity. Annu Rev Public Health 25:155–197.
14. ^ Kamel F, Hoppin JA. 2004. Association of pesticide exposure with neurologic dysfunction and disease. Environ Health Perspect 112:950–958.
15. ^ National Research Council. Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children. National Academies Press; 1993. ISBN 0-309-04875-3. Retrieved 10-Apr-2006.
16. ^ Lu, Chensheng, et. al. (2006). "Organic Diets Significantly Lower Children’s Dietary Exposure to Organophosphorus Pesticides". Environmental Health Perspectives 114: 260-263.
17. ^ Pesticide exposure raises risk of Parkinson’s
    Alberto Ascherio, Honglei Chen, Marc G. Weisskopf, Eilis O'Reilly, Marjorie L. McCullough, Eugenia E. Calle, Michael A. Schwarzschild, Michael J. Thun (2006). "Pesticide exposure and risk for Parkinson's disease". Annals of Neurology.

June 24 is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 190 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Further reading

Books

• Greene, Stanley A.; Pohanish, Richard P. (editors) (2005). Sittig's Handbook of Pesticides and Agricultural Chemicals. SciTech Publishing, Inc. ISBN 0-8155-1516-2.
• Hamilton, Denis; Crossley, Stephen (editors) (2004). Pesticide residues in food and drinking water. J. Wiley. ISBN 0-471-48991-3.
• Hond, Frank et.al. (2003). Pesticides: problems, improvements, alternatives. Blackwell Science. ISBN 0-632-05659-2.
• Kegley, Susan E.; Wise, Laura J. (1998). Pesticides in fruits and vegetables. University Science Books. ISBN 0-935702-46-6.
• Miller, G. Tyler Jr. (2002). Living in the Environment (12th Ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. ISBN 0-534-37697-5
• Watson, David H. (editor) (2004). Pesticide, veterinary and other residues in food. Woodhead Publishing. ISBN 1-85573-734-5.
• Ware, George W.; Whitacre, David M. (2004). Pesticide Book. Meister Publishing Co. ISBN 1-892829-11-8.

Journal Articles

• Walter A. Alarcon, et.al. (July 2005). "Acute Illnesses Associated With Pesticide Exposure at Schools". Journal of the American Medical Association 294: 455–465.

News

• Janofsky, Michael. "E.P.A. Recommends Limits on Thousands of Uses of Pesticides", New York Times, August 4, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-08-24.
• Janofsky, Michael. "Unions Say E.P.A. Bends to Political Pressure", New York Times, 2006-08-02. Retrieved on 2006-08-24.
• Jocelyn Kaiser (June 2005). "Endocrine Disrupters Trigger Fertility Problems in Multiple Generations". Science 308: 1391-1392.
• Jocelyn Kaiser (May 2005). "House Would Foil Human Pesticide Studies". Science 308: 1234.
• Paul Webster (Dec 2004). "Study Finds Heavy Contamination Across Vast Russian Arctic". Science 306: 1875.
• Erik Stokstad (Nov 2004). "EPA Criticized for Study of Child Pesticide Exposure". Science 306: 961.
• Laura Helmuth (Nov 2000). "Pesticide Causes Parkinson's in Rats". Science 290: 1068.
• David Adam (Nov 2000). "Pesticide use linked to Parkinson's disease". Nature 408: 125.

2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 24 is the 236th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (237th in leap years), with 129 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 24 is the 236th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (237th in leap years), with 129 days remaining. ...

External links

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• [3] article on pesticides from the UK
• National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) - Objective, science-based information about pesticide-related topics.
• Center for Disease Control - Pesticides
• NIH encyclopedia pages with general recommendations regarding risks due to Pesticides and emergency treatment of Insecticide exposure
• Coalition for a Healthy Ottawa - Has municipal pesticide bylaw statistics for Canada and Fact Sheets
• Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides - Resource on pesticide hazards and alternatives
• a list of EPA pesticide labels for pesticides by trade name
• Common bactericides
• Common virucides
• Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports regarding pesticides
• Compendium of Pesticide Common Names - Maintained by Alan Wood
• UK Pesticide Safety Directorate
• Durango Software - Provides risk assessment tools for pesticide use
• The Pollution in Newborns - From the Environmental Working Group
• The Pesticide Education Network, Ottawa Canada
• Pesticide Action Network UK Aims to minimize pesticide use.
• Banish Pesticides from Your Garden Article on pesticide dangers and alternatives.
• Compilation of multiple regulatory databases into a web-accessible form
• US trade association representing the crop protection and pest control industry
• A dossier on dangers of pesticides by the French NGO MDRGF. MDRGF is a partner NGO of PAN Europe
• Pesticides and Food - Pesticide Residue Limits in Food
• Pesticide Residues in Food - Data and Summary reports from the USDA on pesticide residues in food sold in the United States.
• Pesticides: Use, Effects, and Alternatives to Pesticides in Schools (pdf) from the United States General Accounting Office
• Letter to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson (pdf) - From Unions representing 9,000 scientists (May 24, 2006)
• Streaming online video about efforts to reduce pesticide use in rice in Bangladesh. Windows Media Player [4], Real Player [5]

Image File history File links Information_icon. ... EPA redirects here. ... The U.S. Department of Agriculture, also called the Agriculture Department, or USDA, is a Cabinet department of the United States Federal Government. ...

Pesticide regulatory authorities

• US EPA
• UK Pesticides Safety Directorate
• European Commission pesticide information