Why is it important to know about pesticides?

Without crop protection, including pesticides, more than half of the world’s crops would be lost to insects, diseases and weeds. Pesticides are important. They help farmers grow more food on less land by protecting crops from pests, diseases and weeds as well as raising productivity per hectare.

What are the concerns of pesticides?

Pesticides can cause short-term adverse health effects, called acute effects, as well as chronic adverse effects that can occur months or years after exposure. Examples of acute health effects include stinging eyes, rashes, blisters, blindness, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea and death.

How can pesticides be prevented?

What can you do to minimize pesticide exposure?

1. Buy organic and locally grown fruit and vegetables.
2. Wash fruits and vegetables before eating.
3. Know which fruits and vegetables have higher levels of pesticide residue.
4. Grow your own produce.
5. Use non-toxic methods for controlling insects in the home and garden.

How do pesticides work?

Most pesticides work by affecting the nervous system of the insect. The pesticide interrupts the information being sent by neurotransmitters in the synapses. The chemical produced by the body used to send information through the synapses is called acetycholine.

How can we protect against pesticides?

Glove Safety. Nitrile, butyl, and neoprene gloves provide the best protection against pesticide exposure. Never use leather or fabric or lined gloves, as they absorb pesticides. If pesticides are absorbed in these types of gloves, they cannot be completely decontaminated or cleaned; disposal is the only option.

How do pesticides spread in the environment?

Even though pesticides are sprayed on land, many times, they can make their way into a water source, such as a river, ocean, or pond. Volatilization occurs when a pesticide turns into a gas or vapor after it has been sprayed, allowing it to travel through the air and spread to different pieces of land.

How are pesticides tested?

Collected samples are analyzed at the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Center for Analyti- cal Chemistry for over 400 pesticides and breakdown chemicals. A residue is illegal if either the measured amount on the sample is greater than the U.S. EPA tolerance or no tolerance is set.