By: Jorge Gonzalez
Pesticides have existed for countless years, created to serve the primary role of controlling weed and insect infestations throughout agricultural areas of great importance. Throughout time, such chemicals have been tailored to provide for additional means of eliminating various pests and disease carriers as well. An increase in awareness of the diseases carried and transmitted by pests such as mosquitoes and rats has led to the wide-spread use of these pesticides throughout houses, offices, malls and streets. Although these measures aid in preventing a sudden outbreak among the human population, questions have been raised concerning the environmental risks and overall health hazards that pesticides pose toward humans.
Pesticides have existed for countless years, created to serve the primary role of controlling weed and insect infestations throughout agricultural areas of great importance. Throughout time, such chemicals have been tailored to provide for additional means of eliminating various pests and disease carriers as well. An increase in awareness of the diseases carried and transmitted by pests such as mosquitoes and rats has led to the wide-spread use of these pesticides throughout houses, offices, malls and streets. Although these measures aid in preventing a sudden outbreak among the human population, questions have been raised concerning the environmental risks and overall health hazards that pesticides pose toward humans.
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The continued use of pesticides slowly increases the chances of these chemicals spreading to food and water supplies. Studies show that symptoms associated with exposure to these toxins range from mild headaches to far more serious illnesses such as cancer, asthma, and diabetes. As the level of exposure increases, so too do the risk factors. Furthermore, it is evident that no groups among the human population are entirely unexposed to pesticides. Nonetheless, projects entailing the development of eco-friendly alternatives to pesticides as well as the practice of techniques that help reduce their negative impacts are underway. These counter-measures will without a doubt negate further environmental risks while also improving human health with no foreseeable trade-offs.
Reference:
Kim, K. H., Kabir, E., & Jahan, S. A. 2017. Exposure to pesticides and the associated human health effects. Science of The Total Environment. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.009
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