The disadvantages and advantages of pesticides.

Essay by leezj17 January 2003

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PESTICIDES IN OUR ECONOMY

INTRODUCTION

A pesticide is a material used to kill or reject a pest. Pesticides have

disadvantages and advantages. They are able to restrain pests, but it can also

kill other organisms as well. Not only do they affect animals but they can

effect us, as humans.

A pesticide is a biological, physical, or chemical agent used to kill

plants or animals that are harmful to people. The name pesticide is generally

applied only to chemical agents. Examples of different pesticides are known

as, herbicides nematicides and rodenticides.

There has been concern regarding the effects of chemical pesticides on

human and on the environment.

ADVANTAGES

The advantages of pesticides are; to improve crop quality and supply

and greatly improved Human health around the world. Pesticides improve

crop production and harvest productivity. Pesticides also prevent diseases

found in fresh fruits and vegetables as well.

Chemical pesticides now go through thorough and expensive test

before government registration and release.

Pesticides sprayed onto crops can

be washed off. So it is very rare to get poisoned by vegetables you eat.

Poisonous and possible health effects have been verified.

New types of pesticides makes the use of herbicides or fertilizers

possible and there is no damage to the crops. Now many fruit and vegetable

growers use fewer pesticides to protect their crop from pests, so it is better

for the farmers health. With the use of pesticides more crops grow on our

land. The more crops we grow on our land, the more we can gain from

exporting our produce to other countries.

DISADVANTAGES

The disadvantages of using the pesticides are; for instant,pesticdes

cause a number of pollution problems through spray drift on to surrounding

areas direct contamination of users or the public and as residues on food.

"The World Health Organization" (WHO) estimated in 1999 that

20,000 people die annually worldwide from pesticides poisoning

incident.However, many consumers are concerned about the effects of

pesticide residues in foods, especially for infants, whose systems have

weaker resistance levels to poisons than adults.

Another disadvantage is that pesticides can be cause cancer for

anyone who are often expose the pesticides. In 1986, the US issued a report

that the chemical could also cause birth defects.

Humans are often exposed to pesticides usually as a result of exposure,

such as accidental inhalation, on the job. Concerns have been made for farm

workers in other countries. The protective safeguards are not enough and

their health is being threatened by the continued use of pesticides that are

known health hazards. That is why people that using or applying the

pesticides should be very careful on handling the chemicals. Proper attire is

required on handling the pesticides.

CONCLUSION

In Conclusion there are many disadvantages and advantages to

pesticide use. The main disadvantages to pesticides is that they are very

hazardous to your health if used incorrectly.

We know that many people have concerns about the uncertain effects

of pesticides. However, we really need pesticides for the growth of our

economy. We need fruits and vegetables to live and sometimes weeds, pests

and other diseases make it harder for us to get proper nutrition. Now a days,

there are hazardous chemicals in everything from shampoo to toothpaste. We

cannot avoid the use of chemicals in everyday products. Yet, we can make

ourselves aware of the use of pesticides and use them wisely.