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Environmental Effects Of Pesticide

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Post World War II, chemical pesticides has become the most popular form of pest management. (Muir, History of pesticide use) The first pesticide that was widely used was DDT; it was favored for its ability to get rid of pests against agricultural and human health. Pesticide use was very liberal and many pests became resistant to pesticides, this caused non-targeted plants and animals to be harmed, and residue started to show up in unexpected places. (Delaplane, 2) Rachel Carson wrote the novel Silent Spring in 1962, the public was shaken. In Silent Spring Carson wrote about the environmental effects of careless use of pesticides. (Delaplane, 2) Silent Springs lead to the government looking into more environmentally safe pesticides. Many of …show more content…
There are many different types of exposure to pesticides, including acute exposure, secondary exposure, chronic poisoning, and indirect effects. Acute exposure takes place over a short period of time. Acute exposure, impacts a localized geographical area, and is linked to a single pesticide. (Whitford, Pesticide Impact on Wildlife Ecology) An example of this would be fish kills that are caused by surface runoff or spray drift. Spray drift happens when the wind moves the pesticide particles to a location that it was not intended for. (Whitford, Pesticide Impact on Wildlife Ecology) Chronic poisoning happens over an extended period of time, pesticide levels that are not immediately lethal may result in chronic poisoning. (Whitford, Pesticide Impact on Wildlife Ecology) Secondary poisoning happens when one species prey on other species that contain pesticide residue. (Whitford, Pesticide Impact on Wildlife Ecology) Secondary poisoning also happens when there is accumulation and movement of persistent chemicals within the wildlife food chains. (Whitford, Pesticide Impact on Wildlife Ecology) Pesticides also have an indirect effect on wildlife. Pesticides can ruin habitats and food chains by modifying them. (Whitford, Pesticide Impact on Wildlife Ecology) For instance, herbicides may reduce food, cover, and nesting sites needed by insect, bird, and mammal populations; insecticides may diminish insect populations fed on by …show more content…
(Aktar, Sengupta, Chowdhury, Impact of pesticides use in agriculture) Farmers can spend less-time in the field because they don’t have to fertilize the ground by tilling it. (Aktar, Sengupta, Chowdhury, Impact of pesticides use in agriculture) Farmers use pesticides to destroy pests that harm the plants by taking the crop’s space, nutrients, and water. (Whitford, 7) On average, pests destroy 37% of all potential crops. Pests are classified as insects, plant pathogens, and weeds. (Pimental, 229) Altogether, each dollar invested in pesticides returns about $4 in protected crops. (Pimental,

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