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Pesticides, because they are toxic chemicals meant to kill pest species, can affect non-target species, such as plants, animals and humans. Over 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of herbicides reach a destination other than their target species, because they are sprayed or spread across entire agricultural fields. [1]
Rodenticides are chemicals made and sold for the purpose of killing rodents. While commonly referred to as "rat poison", rodenticides are also used to kill mice, woodchucks, chipmunks, porcupines, nutria, beavers, [1] and voles. [2] Some rodenticides are lethal after one exposure while others require more than one.
Due to their intrinsic properties and patterns of use, biocides, such as rodenticides or insecticides, can cause adverse effects in humans, animals and the environment and should therefore be used with the utmost care.
Health effects of pesticides may be acute or delayed in those who are exposed. [1] Acute effects can include pesticide poisoning, which may be a medical emergency. [2] Strong evidence exists for other, long-term negative health outcomes from pesticide exposure including birth defects, fetal death, [3] neurodevelopmental disorder, [4] cancer, and neurologic illness including Parkinson's disease ...
Endrin, an insecticide sprayed on the leaves of crops, and used to control rodents. Animals can metabolize endrin, so fatty tissue accumulation is not an issue, however the chemical has a long half-life in soil for up to 12 years. Endrin is highly toxic to aquatic animals and humans as a neurotoxin. Human exposure results primarily through food.
The word pesticide derives from the Latin pestis (plague) and caedere (kill). [5]The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has defined pesticide as: . any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, or controlling any pest, including vectors of human or animal disease, unwanted species of plants or animals, causing harm during or otherwise interfering with the ...
Bottled water may not be safer than tap. But many people think it is. In much of the U.S. — and other wealthy nations — tap water is tightly regulated, frequently tested and “often exceeds ...
These tests evaluate: whether the pesticide has the potential to cause adverse effects (including cancer and reproductive system disorders) on humans, wildlife, fish, and plants, including endangered species and non-target organisms; and possible contamination of surface water or ground water from leaching, runoff, and spray drift. [4]