Pesticides
Pesticides
Pesticides (/ˈpɛstɪsaɪdz/) are substances or mixtures of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest. Derived from the Latin pestis meaning "plague" and caedere meaning "to kill", pesticides have been used since antiquity to protect crops and livestock from pests.
Types of Pesticides
Pesticides can be classified into several types, including:
- Insecticides: These are used to control insects. They include organophosphates and carbamates.
- Herbicides: These are used to control weeds and unwanted vegetation.
- Fungicides: These are used to control fungal pathogens.
- Rodenticides: These are used to control rodents.
- Nematicides: These are used to control nematodes.
- Molluscicides: These are used to control slugs and snails.
Usage
Pesticides are used in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and homes to control pests. They are also used in public health to control vectors of disease, such as mosquitoes.
Health Effects
Exposure to pesticides can lead to a range of health effects, from skin and eye irritation to more serious effects such as neurological disorders, cancer, and endocrine disruption.
Environmental Impact
Pesticides can have significant impacts on the environment. They can contaminate soil, water, and air, and can harm non-target species, including beneficial insects, birds, and mammals.
Regulation
Pesticides are regulated by various national and international agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in the European Union.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pesticides
- Wikipedia's article - Pesticides
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