Environmental Effects Of Pesticides

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Pesticides are considered as potential molecules to combat insects, pests, diseases and weeds in agricultural, horticultural cropping system as well as health management systems. Pesticides are substances meant for attracting, seducing and then destroying or mitigating any pest (US environmental 2007). The term chemical pesticide also applies to herbicides, fungicides and various other substances used to control pest. Due to the use of pesticides, it is possible to combat pests and produce larger quantities of food. Pesticides which was discovered recently include 1080 (sodium fluorate), 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, DDT, endosulfan, methyl bromide. The use of pesticide has been in common practice from …show more content…

According to US EPA, more than 70 ingredients known to cause cancer in animal test were allowed for use. Phenoxy compound tend to selectively kill broad weed leaves rather than grasses. The phenoxy and benzoic acid herbicides function similar to plant growth hormones and grow cells without normal cell division, crushing the plant nutrient transport system (Kamrin MA et al 1997). Alternatives to chemical pesticide include method of cultivation, use of biological controls, genetic engineering and methods of interfering with insect breeding (Miller GT et al 2004). Application of composted yard waste has also been used as a way of controlling pest (R Mcsorley et al 1996). Biopesticides are certain types of pesticides that are derived from natural materials like plants (Botanical origin), bacteria, fungi, virus (Microbial origin) and certain minerals. Biopesticides are less toxic than conventional chemical pesticides. Biopesticides affect only the target and closely related pests, in contrast to chemical pesticides that may affect organisms as different as birds, insects and

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