Introduction Hexachlorocyclohexane’s (HCH) are primarily used as insecticides. These pollutants have been dispersed worldwide and are extremely persistent in the environment (Walker et al. 1999). HCH’s occur in eight different isomers, one of these isomers is lindane, which is also known as gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (Willett et al. 1998). Today most of the use of HCH is in the form of lindane, but there is great concern that this isomer can be transformed into other isomers that have a greater persistence in the environment and more harmful effects to humans and other species (Walker et al. 1999). HCH’s have a very high volatility enabling them to be transported globally, even to remote locations far away from the area of application (Walker et al. 1999; Willett et al. 1998). Lindane is the only isomer with specific insecticide properties, so since the 1950’s it started to become isolated for agricultural purposes (Vijgen et al. 2011). Lindane has been used in the past for insect control in grain, fruit, and vegetable crops. It has also been used for seed treatment (Walker et al. 1999). Lindane is a suspected carcinogen, it is persistent, bioaccumulative, and has endocrine disrupting properties, causing lindane to become a banned substance in many countries (Vijgen et al. 2011). Lindane was also listed as a persistent organic pollutant by the Stockholm Convention in 2009 so it must be passed out and any waste or stockpiles of the chemical eliminated (Jit et al. 2011). Lindane has never been produced in Canada, an on January 1, 2005 it was de-registered for agricultural pest control uses, under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) (Environment Canada 2013). Lindane-based pharmaceuticals are currently produced and sold for use as a second line treatment for scabies and lice, this is under the authority of the Food and Drugs Act (FDA), but they are not widely used and there are alternatives (Environment Canada 2013; Mohebbipour et al. 2013). Hazard Identification Lindane is a persistent organic pollutant that was mainly used as an insecticide all over the globe. The agricultural use of lindane and the production of lindane are the main sources of environmental contamination (Vijgen et al. 2011). Lindane and other isomers of HCH can travel distances up to 22 000 km (Shen et al. 2005). Due to lindanes high volatility, it has the ability to vaporize and then condense. Lindane is found in many locations including the air, oceans, and in soil.
The insecticide has high ability to produce the desired results. It has a broad spectrum of insect and pest control for farm crops and cereal storage. The insecticide is less toxic to mammalian organisms. The toxic levels of the insecticide to human is very low but is designed in a way that it can control some pests such as rats, California quail bird and Rainbow Trout. It is toxic to bees if it is directly sprayed on them but its dried residue is nontoxic to bees (Thompsom, 2011). This insecticide has minimal environmental hazards as compared to other insecticides. Spinosad has a long residual effect that keeps cereals well protected to a period of 2 years.
"Neonicotinoid Pesticides Are a Huge Risk – so Ban Is Welcome, Says EEA."European Environment Agency (EEA). European Environment Agency, n.d. Web.
3. Report: Bt Plant-Pesticides Risk and Benefit Assessments. FIFRA Scientific Adisory Panel. March 12, 2001. Food and Drug Administration. <http://www.epa.gov/scipoly/sap/2000/october/octoberfinal.pdf>
Darwin would be delighted to find the insect population proves his theory of survival of the fittest. Chemical spraying kills off the weaker insects and allows the stronger ones to survive who are more and more resistant to sprays. It was DDT, Carson says, that ushered in “The Age of Resistance” (p. 233) as the genetics of insects even far from spraying sites registered the information that insecticides were not lethal to them. Resistance is developing so fast it has become a health crisis, in terms of mosquitoes, ticks, lice, cockroaches, and other vectors of disease. One method of dealing with the problem is to keep switching insecticides, but that has a limited success. Chemical companies keep inventing
DDT is an organochlorine insecticide that is absorbed through surface contact and kills by poisoning the nervous system (Pesticide Action Network UK 2012). It has become highly effective in combating insect-borne human diseases among military and civilian populations (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2011). Currently, through the Stockholm Convention, which was signed during the United Nations Environment Programme 2002, 12 chemicals have been banned, one of which is DDT. However, production and usage was granted to control disease vectors provided recommendations and guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO) were adhered to, until locally safe, effective and affordable alternatives were available (van den Berg 2009). Thus, this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the usage of DDT to combat malaria and addresses the controversies surrounding this method by looking at how it affects humans and the environment.
"Pesticides." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 18 July 2005. Web. 20 May 2011. .
While detectable amount of 1,1-dichloroethane is reported in both public and private water supplies in the U.S., however, its relatively low concentration in the water appears to raise less concerns compared to the exposure route through air (inhalation). This may be especially the case for urban, industrial waste hazard areas, where higher concentration level of 1,1-dichloroethane were reported (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 1989).One may want to avoid being in contact with highly concentrated 1,1-dichloroethane either through direct exposure to body parts, such as skin, mouth and eyes, or through inhalation, in order to prevent damage to the Central Nervous System and/or other important body organs such as lung, liver and kidneys. Much does not seem to have been investigated, however, as to the exact extent of the toxicity of 1,1-dichloroethane, compared to a more toxic form of the HOC, such as 1,1,1-trichloroethane. Most of the scientific evidence comes from animal research, and reported at best to be “inconclusive”, or weak in terms of carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity as well as acute exposure effects. More vigorous research may be needed to determine its reversibility as well as extent of “likely” toxicity to human health. One interesting type of research relevant to 1,1-dichloroethane is
Pesticides are grouped into what they call “families”. This is because they share similar ...
2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate is one of the most commonly used pesticides in the world. Unfortunately it is also extremely dangerous causing a range of health problems, from difficulty breathing to reduced fertility. It is also thought to cause cancer. ( Cox, 2008)
Pesticides and herbicides are toxins that are used to kill of unwanted animals and plants. These may be collected by rainwater runoff and carried into steams, rivers, lakes, and e...
Household chemicals were created for a reason, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be harmful to your health. For instance, pesticides used on household lawns are now proven to cause neurological disorders. These include depression, mania, learning disorders, A.D.H.D, immune system defects and memory problems. Not proven yet, but the same chemicals play a big part in leading research for the c...
As time has progressed, there has always been an overarching need for high amounts of crop production throughout the world. With the rapid rate of population growth, the need for crops and other sources of nutrients is only increasing. In order to meet these high demands and increase yields, farmers and other agriculturalists have started implementing the use of pesticides. These chemical mixtures are being used in order to prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate any pests from destroying growing crops. However, using pesticides on crops can create massive amounts of pollution, negatively affect an individual’s health, and can spark biodiversity loss within an ecosystem. According to Michael C.R. Alavanja, “Over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used within the United States (US) each year and approximately 5.6 billion pounds are used worldwide”. With all this in mind, it is clear that pesticides should not be made available to farmers and agriculturalists, and should
Frequency of application is defined as how often an insecticide is used that influence resistance development. Resistance can happen in many ways such as met...
Pesticides are contaminating the Earth’s water supplies. There are seventeen pesticides found in twenty-three state’s water supplies right now. Scientists at Cornell University conclude that 99% of pesticides miss the intended source and find their way into the water, air and soil. Most of the pollution isn’t strong enough to create an immediate impact on humans so the wildlife is the primary target to these contaminates. Animals such as the European Starling birds are constantly being tested and found that they are greatly affected both behaviorally and psychologically.
Pesticide is a chemical used to prevent, wipe out and control the pest problem in agriculture. The use of pesticides have become a common practice around the world, and used almost everywhere, such as agricultural fields, homes, park and school, and so on. Most pesticides are insecticides, herbicides and fungicides that have distinct purposes. Insecticides are used to control insects; herbicides are used to destroy plants; fungicides are used to prevent molds and mildews. Most commonly pesticides contain highly toxic chemical such as Acid copper chromate (ACC), Acephate and Chlorpyrifos, and so on. One of example of insecticides, Chlorpyrifos, sprays widely on a variety of food and golf courses in order to control pests in a cornfield. However, “Chlorpyrifos can cause cholinesterase inhibition in humans; that is, it can over stimulate the nervous system causing nausea, dizziness, confusion, and at very high exposures (e.g., accidents or major spills), respiratory paralysis and death.” (EPA GOV) In the market has thousands of products are similar as Chlorpyrifos.