PESTICIDES AND HUMAN HEALTH

PESTS
It is any living organism which is invasive or prolific, detrimental, troublesome, noxious, destructive, a nuisance to either plants or animals, human or human concerns, livestock, human structures, wild ecosystems etc.

pesticides
Pesticides are substances meant for attracting, seducing, destroying or mitigating any pest. A chemical used for controlling, preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating troublesome or destructive animals, mostly insects. Pesticides are commonly applied on farms, fruit orchards, golf courses and residential lawns and gardens.

Historical Development of Pesticides

Pesticides are not new, Ancient Romans by burning sulfur and controlled weeds with salt. killed insect pests.

In the 1600,ants were controlled with mixture of honey and arsenic. By the late nineteenth century US farmers were using acetoarsenic (Paris Green),calcium arsenic, nicotin sulfate and sulfur to control insect pest in field crops. An emergence in pesticides use began after world war II with the introduction of DDT, BHC, aldrin, Di-eldrin. These new chemicals were inexpensive, effective and enormously popular.

 DDT was especially favoured for its broad spectrum activity against insect pests of agriculture & human health. Constant use of these pesticides harmed non target plants and animals as well as left residue in unexpected places. Soon people started understanding environmental consequences of careless pesticides use which resulted in the development of natural pesticides. for e.g. Pyrethroid insecticides are modeled after pyrethrins which is a natural plant derived poison that have been used as an insecticides.

Use of Pesticides in INDIA

Types Of Pesticides:
Pesticides can be grouped according to the types of pests which they kill: Insecticides - insects Herbicides - plants Rodenticides - rodents (rats and mice) Bactericides - bacteria Fungicides - fungi Larvicides - larvae

USES
Pesticides are used to control organisms that are considered to be harmful. Pesticides can protect animals from illnesses that can be caused by parasites such as fleas. Pesticides are used in grocery stores and food storage facilities to manage rodents and insects that infest food such as grain. Pesticides can save farmers' money by preventing crop losses to insects and other pests.

How Pesticides Harm The Environment

They move long distances, taken up the food chain and accumulate everywhere. Widespread application of pesticides leads to drifting and contamination of land and waterways.
Examples: DDT, Endrin, Lindane, Endosulfan. The World Health Organization estimates that there are 3 million cases of pesticide poisoning each year and up to 220,000 deaths, primarily in developing countries.

METHODS OF EXPOSURE
There are 4 methods of exposure to pesticides:
Dermal (Skin) Oral (Mouth)

Inhalation (Lungs)

Eyes

EFFECT ON HUMAN HEALTH:

Severe Effects Of Pesticide on Human

Health

WAYS TO PREVENT EXPOSURE TO PESTICIDES

1. Buy organic and locally grown fruit and vegetables.
Buying organic, in-season produce from your local market is the best assurance of pesticide-free produce.

2. Wash fruits and vegetables before eating. Commercial vegetable and fruit washes are available which are formulated to remove chemical residue from produce.

3. Grow your own produce. A backyard garden plot as small as 400 sq. ft. can provide much of the required produce for a family of four.
4. Use non-toxic methods for controlling insects in the home and garden. There are effective, non-toxic methods for controlling insect problems in the home, which will kill a broad range of common indoor insects without posing any hazard to your family or pets.

Other Precautions:
Do not transport pesticides along with food or animal feed.
Carefully read the instructions given on labels, containers and in the leaflets before using any pesticide. Do not mix pesticide solution with bare hands. Use a paddle or stick when preparing the spray solution. Use a funnel to fill spray tanks. This will prevent the spray solution from splashing on body parts.

After spraying, remove contaminated clothing. Be sure to wash clothing as well as yourself with soap and water.

Treatment:
If you or someone else gets pesticides on the body: Quickly remove any clothing the pesticides spilled onto.
Wash the pesticides off the skin as soon as possible with soap and cool water, if it got into the eye, rinse the eye with clean water for 15 minutes.

If the skin is burned from pesticides: Rinse well with cool water and Cover the area with a sterile dressing, if available.
Do not remove anything stuck to the burn and dont break blisters

Yes ! ! !