Impact of Pesticides on Environmental and Human Health
How do pesticides affect the environment and human health?
Impact of Pesticides on Environmental and Human Health
Environmental Effects:
Contamination of soil, water, and air – Pesticides can leach into groundwater, pollute rivers and lakes, and drift through the air.
Harm to wildlife – Pesticides can be toxic to birds, fish, beneficial insects like bees, and other animals, disrupting ecosystems.
Bioaccumulation – Pesticides can accumulate in the fatty tissues of organisms and become more concentrated as they move up the food chain.
Disruption of natural processes – Pesticides can interfere with nutrient cycling, pollination, and other vital ecological functions. Health Effects:
Acute toxicity – High exposure can cause immediate symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and respiratory distress.
Chronic toxicity – Long-term, low-level exposure has been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, neurological effects, and reproductive harm.
Exposure through food/water – Pesticide residues on foods and contamination of water supplies can lead to inadvertent ingestion.
Occupational exposure – Farm workers and pesticide applicators face the highest risks of exposure.
Overall, the excessive or careless use of pesticides can have far-reaching and long-lasting consequences for the environment and human health. Integrated pest management approaches that minimize pesticide use are generally considered safer and more sustainable.
– Written By Chantel Philip
