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

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

3. 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.
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12/2/2018

4. 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

5. 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
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12/2/2018

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.
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12/2/2018
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