Pesticides and fertilizers are always needed to grow crops and vegetables. They are needed to safeguard human health and safety but they also have negative effects.

Pesticide Problems

Research has shown that pesticides have serious negative influence creating reproductive abnormalities. Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment has stated that children exposed to pesticides have increased rates of leukemia and brain cancer; similarly pregnant women with exposure have higher miscarriage rates; pesticides also damage the lungs and nervous system. As regards influence on environment, pesticides pollute the air, water and ground causing plant and animal sickness or death and physical deformities. Pesticides can damage natural bodies of water.

Over 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of herbicides reach a destination other than the targeted pest, since they are sprayed over large areas. Water runoff carry pesticides into aquatic environments; wind disperses them into nearby fields, cattle grazing areas, nearby homes etc. Over time, repeated application increases pest resistance and newer and stronger pests emerge. Many pesticides have been banned, while regulations have limited and reduced their use.

Pesticides and children

The human brain is not fully formed until the age of 12, and childhood exposure to certain pesticides cause developmental problems of the central nervous system. Children absorb proportionally greater amounts of many substances through their lungs and intestinal tracts, and take in more air, food and water per kilogram of their body weight than adults. Their poor immune systems and detoxifying mechanisms make them vulnerable.

Benefits of Pesticides

Pesticides safeguard crops from pest attacks. Pesticides prevent spreading of diseases. They keep swimming pools free of insects and safeguard buildings from termite attacks and rodents. Pesticides are very useful in preventing attacks on crops like corn and cotton thus saving prices of food and clothing.