Benefits and Costs of Using Pesticides - Term Paper Example

Benefits and Costs of Using Pesticides Introduction The term pesticide refers to a broad range of compounds such as fungicides, rodenticide, insecticides, herbicides, nematicides, molluscicides, and plant growth regulators(Pimentel, 2007). Among these pesticides, organ-chlorine (OC) insecticides whose main purpose is to control several diseases such as typhus and malaria were restricted or banned in the year 1960 in many technologically developed countries(National Research Council, 2007). The introduction of several other types of pesticides such as organophosphate insecticides, carbarnates, pyrethroids, fungicides, and herbicides contributes highly to pest control and improve agricultural output (National Research Council, 2007).Ideally, pesticides should only affect the target pests, but it should not harm non-target species such as human beings or the environment.Unfortunately, things are different; the controversy of consumption and pesticide abuse is still surfacing. Despite their benefits, pesticides have a number environmental, social, and health costs. The rampant application of pesticides, under its adage, “if a small amount is good, then more seems better” is playing havoc with health of human beings and other living organisms (Peshin & Dhawan, 2009). Benefits of using pesticides The primary benefits of using pesticides are the consequences of their effects (the primary gains and advantages expected from their usage). For example, the effect of a pesticide killing caterpillar, which feed on crops,has beenbeneficial to farmers since this resultin better quality and higher yields of cabbages (Pimentel, 2007). The three primary benefits of using pesticides are from 26 benefits, which range from recreational turf protection to the saving of human lives(National Research Council, 2007). The secondary benefits of pesticide usage are less obvious and result from the key benefits. These secondary benefits are subtle, long term, or less intuitively obvious.Arguably, for secondary benefits one encounters difficulties in establishing the causes and effects. Nevertheless, they are powerful justifications for the use of pesticides. For instance, higher yields of cabbages may result in increased revenues. Farmers can use these revenues to educate their children or for medical care, therefore, ensuring a healthy and educated population (Pershing&Dhawan, 2009). There are several secondary benefits for using pesticides, which range from fitter human beings to conserved biodiversity. Improving productivityand protection of crop yield/loss reduction Use of pesticides has tremendous benefits due to their use in forestry, domestic sphere, and public health. Especially, in agriculture, pesticide usage brings tremendous benefits since most country’s economy highly depends on the agricultural sector. Pesticides serve as a means of improving agricultural productivity in many countries, hence influencing economic growth in many countries such as India (Pimentel, 2007).These results from the usage of high-yield seeds, best agricultural chemicals, and advanced irrigation technologies.Similarly, agricultural productivity and output have risen dramatically in many countries such as corn farming in the USA, and yield of wheat in the United Kingdom. Increase in agricultural productivity results from various factors such as usage of fertilizers, advanced irrigation technology, use of machinery, and a variety of high-yields seeds.The use of pesticide is the key factor that influences agricultural productivity increment since its use reduces losses from diseases, weeds, and insect pests. Weeds, insect pests, and diseases can markedly lead to reduction of harvestable produce amounts if farmers fail to use pesticides. According to National Research Council(2007), a considerable economic loss would rise without usage of pesticides. The author quantified the significant increment in agricultural yield and the economic margin the results from usage of pesticides. Moreover, most pesticidesproduces metabolites that are non-toxic toboth environment and human beings due to photochemical transformation they undergo (Pimentel, 2007). The use of pesticides is beneficial since it helps farmers to protect crop yield/loss reduction. In most places, farmers suffer losses of crop production due to factors such as weeds and insect pests. Application of pesticides in such places can result to improved agricultural production since this helps to do away with the weeds and insect pests (Peshin & Dhawan, 2009). For instance, rice farming, even under puddle environments during critical periods warrants an effective and economic insect pest and weed control approach to prevent its yield reduction due to weeds and insect pests. Weeds reduce crop production, particularly in a dry land.Infestations of weeds, especially during early stages of crop growth, ultimately result in reduced yields by 40%. However, the use herbicides warrants for both labour and economic benefits (National Research Council, 2007). Vector disease control The most effective approach of tackling vector-borne diseases is only killing the vectors. The only practical method of controlling the insects that transmit deadly diseases like malaria is the use of insecticides. Malaria is one the major causes of high mortality and morbidity rate in most developing countries such as India and a main public health issue. Control of diseases is also crucially essential for the lives of livestock (Peshin & Dhawan, 2009). Using pesticides is, therefore beneficial for protection of public health. Pesticides help to kill the transmitters of deadly diseases such as malaria, cholera, diarrhea, and many others.Eating fresh fruits results in reduction of deadly diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, cancers, stroke, and many other chronic diseasesThe use of pesticides also reduces risk to children since transmitters infect many children at their early ages thus reduction children’s death rate around the globe.In first world countries, it is evident that eating a diet of fresh fruits as well as vegetables highly outweighs the possible risks of eating very low quality fruits, which are residues of pesticides.Pesticides also reduce the diseases cause by eating contaminated fruits such as malaria, cholera, diarrhea, and many others. Quality of food In first world countries, it is evident that eating a diet of fresh fruits as well as vegetables highly outweighs the possible risks of eating very low quality fruits, which are residues of pesticides. Increased evidence indicates that eating fresh vegetables and fruits regularly results inreduction of deadly diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, cancers, stroke, and many other chronic diseases (National Research Council, 2007).The use of pesticides is beneficial since it helps farmers to improve the quality of fruits. In most places, farmers suffer losses of crop production due to factors such as poor quality of fruits due toweeds and insect pests. Application of pesticides in such places can result to improved quality of agricultural production since this helps to do away with the weeds and insect pests. In also improves aesthetic quality to food production such as fruits hence reducing the risk of being infected by some diseases such as high blood pressure. Hazards of pesticides The primary hazards of using pesticides are the consequences of their effects (the primary losses and disadvantages expected from their usage). For example, the effect of pesticidecontaminating,water, air, and soil (Pimentel, 2007). The main impacts of using pesticides include health impacts of human beings, impacts through food commodities, surface water contamination, and ground water contamination, among others. Health impacts of human beings If the benefits of using pesticides include increased economy due to increased food and fiber production and reduction of vector-borne illnesses, then their debits results in severe health impacts to both man and the environment. Evidences show that the increased use of pesticides pose potential impacts to the lives of human beings and other living organisms(Peshin&Dhawan, 2009). Pesticide usage also poses unwanted negative impacts to the environment.Researches indicate that there is no portion in pollution, which does not face the impacts of using pesticides, although the most affected people are those in developed countries(National Research Council, 2007). The worldwide chronic diseases and deaths due to usage of pesticides number an approximation of one million per year. The groups, which are highly exposed to pesticide risks, include production employees, farm sprayers, loaders, mixers, formulators, and agricultural farm employees. The possibility of pesticide hazards is higher during formulation and manufacturing due to the process involved, which are not risk free. In industrial settings, employees tend to be higher risk because of their handling of various toxic chemicals such as pesticides, toxic solvents, raw materials, and inert carriers (Pingali, 2005). Virtually, pesticide compounds pollute the tissues of every form of life on the earth, the oceans and lakes, the air.For instance, due to exposure to DDT bad eagle production in the United Nations have declined since DDT together with its metabolites causes eggshell thinning. Certain environmental mainly pesticides elicit their severe side effects of the natural hormones of the body, hence causing effects to human health such as hormone disruption, immune suppression, diminished intelligence, cancer, and reproductive abnormalities (National Research Council, 2007. Impacts through food commodities Spraying pesticides to food crops such as fruits may bring health effects to the lives of human beings who eat such fruits, because some the pesticide chemicals contaminate in these fruits. The majority food substances that we purchase in supermarkets always contain detectable pesticide residues (David, Hung & Springer, 2003). For example, several thousand majorities of samples of supermarket food, an overall assessment indicate that in every eight fruits and twelve vegetables, 73% contain pesticide residues(Peshin & Dhawan, 2009).In some crops such as peaches, apples, strawberries, pears, and celery contains pesticide residues.Although majorities of the foods we consume daily have pesticide residues, these foods are highly consumed by the public at high rate, hence posing many health hazards to human beings. When people eat these contaminated foods they may get infected with deadly diseases such as diarrhea and cholera, and many others. Reproductive effects There is elevated risk of developmental or reproductive effects to human beings and domestic animals due to direct and prolonged exposure to harmful pesticides during prenatal and postnatal periods or prior to conception. Although not all researches accurate, several studies about women expose to the risk of pesticides or work in pesticides’ production firms suggest that several types of pesticides cause reproductive impacts such spontaneous miscarriages and abortions. The increased risk of pregnancy miscarriages results from prolonged preconception exposure to pesticides such as phenoxy acid herbicides, carbamate insecticide carbaryl, and glyphosate(Harrison, 2011). Studies suggest that higher rates of miscarriages results when women handle certain pesticides three months prior to conception(35).Additionally, further studies suggest that prolonged exposure to pesticides used during farming during early stages of pregnancy can bring high risks of birth defects like cleft palate and lip(Pershing&Dhawan, 2009)For instance, a study in Denmark indicates that women who work in gardening or farming give birth to boys who have undescended testes. Additionally, people who live near farms where farmers highly use pesticides have higher rates of birth defects, especially when the usage of pesticides is extremely higher. Lastly, declining sperm count as well as increased abnormal sperms can occur due to prolonged exposure to pesticides(Peshin & Dhawan, 2009). Neurological effects Several pesticides cause effects to the peripheral or central nervous systems of human beings and domestic animals(David, Hung & Springer, 2003).Although not observed in many studies, there is proposed that workers exposed to pesticide risk to sensory, mental, motor, and psychological effects(Peshin & Dhawan, 2009). Theseeffects occur due to exposure to neurotoxic pesticides such as carbonates, fungicides, and organophosphates. There is also mounting evidence proposing a moderate increase in the neurodegenerative disorders risk, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). This disease mostly affects those human beings who occupationally expose themselves to pesticides, especially, gardeners and farmers. Long term exposure to pesticides may causes effects such as cancers, psychological impacts, hence increasing mortality rate among farmers. Carcinogenic and immune systems Some pesticides such as Malathion, chlorpyrifos, pyrethroids, and phenoxy herbicides bring changes in the functioning of the immune system of both human beings and animals(David, Hung & Springer, 2003). A compromised or affected immune system results in susceptibility increase in infectious diseases. For example a compromised immune system can as well contribute to deadly diseases such as cancer. Some studies suggest that pesticide storage should be away from children since they can cause cancer to them.There is elevated risk of developmental or reproductive effects to human beings and domestic animals due to direct and prolonged exposure to harmful pesticides during prenatal and postnatal periods or prior to conception. Although not all researches accurate, several studies about women expose to the risk of pesticides or work in pesticides’ production firms suggest that several types of pesticides cause reproductive impacts such spontaneous miscarriages and abortions. Environmental impacts Pesticides can contaminate water, soil, turf, as well as other vegetations. Despite pesticides benefits of killing weeds and insects, they can be also harmful to other non-target organisms such as birds, beneficial insects like bees, fish, and non-target vegetation or plants.Generally, the most toxic class of pesticide is insecticides, although herbicides can as well pose impacts to non-target organisms (Peshin & Dhawan, 2009). Surface water contamination Pesticides reach surface water via runoff from treated soil and plants.Pesticides water contamination is widely spread in the entire world(David, Hung & Springer, 2003). Studies show that a great percentage of river water and fishes contain one or several pesticides. Concentration of pesticides in rivers and large water bodies commonly outweighs the methods used to protect aquatic life. In order to get rid of the target weeds and pest, farmers and gardeners must release pesticides in the environment. Once applied in gardens or lawn, pesticides spread into soil, air and groundwater as well as in surface water, hence transporting these harmful materials away from the gardens or lawns. Pesticides also spread into the environment causing air contamination and in the long term, they can be one of reasons for causing acid rain. This contaminated acid rain, water affects the health of human beings and animals that use it. Additionally, this rainwater also affects plants and aquatic animals. Plants can produce contaminated fruits or dry due to excess chemicals and aquatic animals die after they intake the contaminated water (Devere, 2010). Ground water contamination Ground water contamination resulting from pesticide usage is a global problem. At least 21 transformation products and 143 pesticides contaminate in ground water(Devere, 2010). For the last two decades, pesticide water contamination has increased at a higher rate than any other decade in the history. During a survey in India, the results were that drinking water from wells and hand pumps are contaminated with pesticides like organ chlorine(Peshin & Dhawan, 2009). Once pesticides contaminate ground water, this water may take a long period to clean up or dissipate. Cleaning up the contaminated ground water may also be costly and a bit complex. Soil contamination Many products of pesticide transformation dissolve in the soil. TPs and pesticides can be grouped into (i) bioaccumulable and hydrophobic pesticides, which strongly bound in soil. Pesticides that bound strongly in the soil include endosulfan, organochlorine, endrin, lindane, heptachlor, and their TPs (Devere, 2010). Although the agriculture sector have banned most of these pesticides, their residues still exist in the soil, hence causing contamination of water, air, and vegetation. (ii) The other group of these pesticides is polar pesticide, which include mainly herbicides, although there are others, such as fungicides, carbamates, and organ phosphorus insecticides(Devere, 2010).Runoff and leaching can move these pesticides from the soil, therefore, constituting an impact to the drinking water sources, which serve large populations(David, Hung & Springer, 2003). The degree to which a certain pesticide can persist in soil depends on the interaction of the soil and the properties of the pesticide. The influencing factor of the soil to sustain pesticides for a long period is organic matter. Therefore, the larger the content of organic matter in soil, the greater its ability to absorb pesticides.These absorbed pesticides require costly methods to extract them from the soil. Strong mineral acids, which are highly expensive, are necessary for extraction of these chemicals from the soil (Devere, 2010). Social impacts Pesticide causes deaths to many farmers and workers who work in the pesticide manufacturing industries. These individuals die hence causing many impacts to their family members and friends. Additionally, since many farmers are parents, they death highly affect living standards of their children especially their education. Apart from the farmers and producers, pesticide usages contaminate the entire social environment hence affecting every living creature in the environment (David, Hung & Springer, 2003). It is costly to address the effects caused by pesticide usage such as deadly diseases such as cancer, which is highly expensive to cure. Pesticides also contaminate surface water causing death to aquatic animals such as fish. This highly affects the living standards of fishers since they mainly depend on fishing for their daily live. In general, most of the impacts of pesticide usage affect the social and economical status of many countries around the globe(Vorley & Keeney, 2008). The solutions to pesticides There is a need to make our water, food, air, soil, and entire environment free from pesticide toxic chemicals. The effective solution to reduce the problem of weeds and insect pests lies in the use of cultural and non-toxic methods of agriculture. Farmers should not focus on the pesticide trigger. The organically grown food crops and sustainable approaches of controlling pests and weeds is the only key to healthy families and the environment. The agricultural sector should try to come up with non-toxic pesticides in order to reduce the risks and impacts brought by toxic pesticide chemicals (Devere, 2010). Federal and state agencies should ensure better testing for the pesticides, including synergistic effects’ testing. The agencies must the phase out any suspected or known pesticide that can cause health problems. Because children are most affected by pesticides, state agencies should prohibit the use of pesticides in places dominated by children, such as schools, playgrounds, and parks and instead use non-toxic pesticides in such places (David, Hung & Springer, 2003). State agencies should reduce the use of toxic pesticides by farmers, homeowners, local governments by providing them with technical assistance. Moreover, people should also ensure that they are not polluting water since this is like poisoning the communities. We should ensure that the use of aerial pesticides does contaminate our water sources through applying strict rules and regulations governing the use of pesticides. Governments should also prevent the use of pesticides to water bodies and instead encourage the use of non-chemical approaches of controlling aquatic weeds (Pimentel, Lehman & Springer-Verlag, 2003). State agencies should ensure that those who use pesticides have the right information about the effects of applying toxic pesticides. Pesticide manufacturing firms and farmers should provide protection to workers in order to prevent them from chronic and acute pesticide poisoning. Farmers should also be encouraged to use natural manures instead of fertilizers and pesticides to improve the quality of their agricultural products. By adhering to these solutions, pollutions caused by pesticides will be a theme of the past. Conclusion Although farmers consider pesticides as the easy, quick, and inexpensive method of controlling weeds and pests, they also bring hazards to the environment, human health, and social health. This is because the use of these toxic chemicals has contaminated the air, soil, and water affecting the lives of human beings and of other organisms (David, Hung & Springer, 2003). Due to these hazards, there is a purpose to convey prevention message to farmers and pesticide manufacturers. The use of pesticides pollutes the environment where human beings undergo lifelong exposure. Therefore, there is a need to implement health education programs to educate people on the impacts of using toxic pesticides. References David, P., Hung, L., & Springer, V. (2003). The pesticide question : environment, economics, and ethics.New York : Chapman & Hall. Devere, B. L. (2010). Agriscience : fundamentals and applications. Clifton Park, NY : Delmar Cengage Learning Harrison, J. L. (2011). Pesticide drift and the pursuit of environmental justice. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press. National Research Council (U.S.). (2007). Regulating pesticides in food: The Delaney paradox. Washington, D.C: National Academy Press. Peshin, R., & Dhawan, A. K. (2009). Integrated pest management: innovation-development process. Dordrecht: Springer. Pimentel, D. (2007). Techniques for reducing pesticide use: Economic and environmental benefits. Chichester: Wiley. Pimentel, D., Lehman, H., & Springer-Verlag. (2003). The pesticide question: Environment, economics, and ethics. New York: Chapman & Hall. Pingali, P. L. (2005). Impact of pesticides on farmer health and the rice environment. Chichester: Wiley. Vorley, W., & Keeney, D. R. (2008). Bugs in the system: Redesigning the pesticide industry for sustainable agriculture. London: Earthscan Publications. Read More