Bhopal disaster in India
A cropduster spraying pesticide on a field
A Lite-Trac four-wheeled self-propelled crop sprayer spraying pesticide on a field
Pesticides are substances meant for preventing, destroying or mitigating any pest.[1] They are a class of biocide. The most common use of pesticides is as plant protection products (also known as crop protection products), which in general protect plants from damaging influences such as weeds, diseases or insects. This use of pesticides is so common that the term pesticide is often treated as synonymous with plant protection product, although it is in fact a broader term, as pesticides are also used for non-agricultural purposes.
A pesticide is generally a chemical or biological agent (such as a virus, bacterium, antimicrobial or disinfectant) that through its effect deters, incapacitates, kills or otherwise discourages pests. Target pests can include insects, plant pathogens, weeds, mollusks, birds, mammals, fish, nematodes (roundworms), and microbes that destroy property, cause nuisance, spread disease or are vectors for disease. Although there are benefits to the use of pesticides, some also have drawbacks, such as potential toxicity to humans and other animals. According to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, 9 of the 12 most dangerous and persistent organic chemicals are pesticides.[2][3]
Contents [hide]
1 Definition
2 Types
2.1 Organophosphate pesticides
2.2 Carbamate pesticides
2.3 Organochlorine insecticides
2.4 Pyrethroid pesticides
2.5 Sulfonylurea pesticides
2.6 Biopesticides
3 Uses
3.1 Quantity and variety
4 Costs
4.1 Health effects
4.2 Environmental effect
4.3 Economics
5 Benefits
5.1 Primary benefits
5.2 Monetary
6 Alternatives
6.1 Push pull strategy
6.2 Effectiveness
7 Regulation
7.1 International
7.2 United States
8 History
9 See also
10 References
11 Further reading
12 External links
Definition[edit source | editbeta]
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