An Overview of Pesticides:; Its Uses, Abuses, Effects and Regulations Mary Meenan 12/2/2018

Focus of this Paper Explore what pesticides are Benefits and Liabilities Regulations How to Improve their Use 12/2/2018

What are pesticides? Pesticide is a chemical substance intended to destroy or repel any pests. The ideal pesticide will: kill only the target pest harm no other species disappear or break down into something harmless after it has done its job not cause genetic resistance in target organism be cheaper than doing nothing. FOR MORE INFO... List location or contact for specification (or other related documents) here 12/2/2018

What are the benefits of pesticides? Save human lives Increase food production Increase $ profits for farmers Work faster and better than alternatives Health risks are less than the benefits Safer and more effective pesticides are now being developed Newer pesticides are being used more sparingly compared to the older products. 12/2/2018

What are the drawbacks of Pesticide use? Genetic resistance Overkill – natural predators and parasites also get killed in the process Misuse: misapplications; accidents; improper use can be dangerous Spraying over large areas puts pesticides in the land, air, water, wildlife, humans and inanimate objects Pesticides attack more than their intended target FOR MORE INFO... List location or contact for competitive analysis (or other related documents) here 12/2/2018

Pesticide Regulation Governed by the EPA under the FIFRA laws Manufacturer must do pre-testing on pesticide before it is approved Pesticide must be registered Registration can be revoked if the pesticide later turns out to be dangerous This process can only be reviewed by the manufacturer There is no citizen suit provision for review Many claim the labeling system is misleading and too secretive 12/2/2018

Testing Five Types Acute Toxicity Test – broad and detects immediately fatal nature of the pesticide Sub-chronic test – measures daily doses over a period of 90 days Chronic test – effective in detecting long-term effects of low doses Mutagenicity studies Other tests as needed for a particular pesticide 12/2/2018

How can pesticide use be improved? Better labeling, enforcement and testing of pesticide and its uses Use ACSL mathematical model to make estimates of chemical interactions before they cause damage Educate the public on proper use and real ingredients of products Keep an holistic program of many different approaches – all used intelligently Integrated Pest Management Programs. List location or contact for procedures document (or other related documents) here 12/2/2018 FOR MORE INFO...