Running head: THE EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES IN THE WORLD 1

Literature review on the effects of

Pesticides in the world

Jesus Barron

University of Texas at El Paso

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Abstract

Pesticides have been around for a long time and have been helpful to the agricultural

business. In recent years pesticides, have been a target of attention since they are

being pointed to being the cause for the alarming rate of bee deaths around the world.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of pesticides by answering questions

that can give us more knowledge about the topic. There are three questions about the

topic that are going to be analyzed and answered using many different scholarly

sources, a primary source, and professional organizations that either focus on the topic

or that do research on this topic. The questions will be answered without bias to view

this topic from different perspectives to gain more knowledge about the topic and gain a

more deeply understanding about the effects of pesticides.

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Introduction

Pesticides have been around for decades they were introduced to farmers as a

solution to their pest problem that was causing famine. Pesticides were first used in the

1940s to try and destroy the pest that where killing the crops like bacteria, rodents,

fungi, weeds, and insects. Pesticides proved successful against this pest for some time

until later it was found out that pesticides where causing problems to the environment

and all living organisms that encountered it. Pesticides have evolved over the years and

have become safer, now we have fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, bactericides, and

rodenticides all are specific to kill a certain type of pest but most are still dangerous to

any other living organisms. As of today, pesticides are still globally used even though we

know of the risk that we are taking because of the chemicals that pesticides contain we

simply choose to ignore the hazardous effects and we keep using them on our crops to

kill pest. To further understand this topic, the following three questions will be analyzed

and answered without bias using sources that have done their research on pesticides.

1. How have pesticides affected our world?

2. What are health effects that pesticides can cause?

3. can we replace pesticides?

Answering these questions can lead the reader to understanding this topic allot better

since it will talk about it from different perspectives throughout the reading while building

up evidence to answer the question.

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How have pesticides affected the world?

Pesticides have been around for a long time they have had many positive and

negative effects since their creation, but as per an old article Hidden risk of pesticide

bans Despite the important role of pesticides in world food production and disease

control, environmental advocates and their congressional allies are determined to limit

the availability of U.S.-produced pesticides in the Third World by prohibiting the export

of pesticides not registered for use in the United States. (J. H. Adler, 1992) even 25

years ago, Scientist noticed that they had to do something about the pesticides effects.

Scientist have spent tons of time trying to find solutions to the effects that pesticides

have had in the world. Pesticides like cars and nuclear power, are one of the great

double-edged swords of technology. Without pesticides, the worlds farms would require

more labor-intensive production. Thus, feeding the growing global population would be

more difficult and expensive. (AAAS,2017) Yes, it is true that pesticides are beneficial,

but making farmers work more easy and faster is not all that pesticides have done.

Neonicotinoids its the worlds most widely used pesticides. studies show that they are

not only killing target pest they are also destroying beneficial species to the environment

like honey bees, they are destroying the base of the food chain. (earth focus,2014) all

these chemicals are destroying harmless insects that help pollinate and keep us alive.

There are dozens of pesticides being used today all composed of different

combinations of chemicals. Since pesticides are poisonous, they also pose a health

risk to humans, other animals, and the environment. The most notorious of all pesticides

is DDT, which was banned entirely because it was toxic (AAAS, 2017), Even when

some pesticides are banned and not used again it takes time for the pesticides to leave
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the environment. Just like Joseph Mercola said Even though DDT has not been used in

this country since 1972, Soil may still contain some DDT that may be taken up by plants

and eaten by animals and people (J. Mercola,2014). Pesticides residue is not only

found in rural areas according to the toxins Action center Pesticides can be found in our

air, Our food, our soil, our water and even in breast milk. (Toxins action center, 2015)

We live in a world where pesticides can be found all around us within the cities and

outside of the cities.

Pesticides continue being used every day and the effects become more obvious

but one of the biggest effects is the one it has had on animals, insects, and the

environment. Its not only honey bees at risk, In June 2014 the Task Force on Systemic

Pesticides Found that Neonicotinoids and The Fipronil Pesticide Also harms birds,

amphibians and Reptiles as well as terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. (Earth

focus,2014) The environment is being damaged and this can lead to permanent effects

that can be catastrophic. In the article from The Toxic Action Center they said Pesticide

use can damage agricultural land by harming beneficial insect species, soil

microorganisms, and worms which naturally limit pest populations and maintain soil

health; wakening plant root systems and immune systems; Reducing concentration of

essential plant nutrients in the soil such as nitrogen and phosphorus. (Toxin action

Center, 2015). Not all pesticides can be blamed for this some pesticides are beneficial

to use and so far, have been found to be safe The American Association for the

Advancement of science said this in contrary to the toxic action center Fungicides and

Herbicides have been found to have no relation to the Chemical and Neurological

problems. It does not mean that these chemicals are totally safe but it just means that
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only insecticides (bug killers) seem to cause neurological damage (AAAS,2017)

Pesticides have had many effects in the world good and bad that have affected from the

smallest insect to animals and humans.

What are health effects that pesticides can cause?

Pesticides are well known for the health effects that they can cause on the

human body. The effects that pesticides can have on the human body vary from the

different type of pesticides that there is it can go from irritation on the skin and eyes all

the way to severe health problems that can cause a coma or even death. According to

toxipedia Pesticides are designed to kill and because their mode of action is not

specific to one species, they often kill or harm organisms other than pests, including

humans. (Lah K. ,2011) encountering pesticides can cause health problems to any

living organism. Hazard depends on the toxicity of the pesticide and the amount of

exposure to the pesticides (Penn state, 2016) all the chemicals used on pesticides can

cause health problems it all depends on the amount that the human body gets exposed.

So, this can mean that humans can be the ones most affected since it is mostly used on

our food that comes from farms.

There are many health effects that pesticides can cause Pesticides exposure

can cause a range of neurological health effects such as memory loss, loss of

coordination, reduced speed of response to stimuli, reduced visual ability, altered or

uncontrollable mood and general behavior and reduced motor skills. (Lah K.,2011)

Being exposed to the different type of chemicals found in insecticides can prove harmful

and toxic to the human body. (Just like TAC) mentions Pesticides have been linked to a

wide range of human health hazards, ranging from short-term impacts such as
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headaches and nausea to chronic impacts like cancer, reproductive harm, and

endocrine disruption, (Toxic action center, 2016) the effects can have many impacts to

the human body some are temporary and can have medicine that can cure it but other

effects can last a life time and not only will it affect the individual that was exposed it can

also affect babys that arent born yet. For example, if a woman decides to have a baby

and she was exposed the baby can result affected as well.

Neither Animals or humans are safe from the dangerous effects of pesticides but

the most affected can be kids. According to Toxic action center there is now

considerable scientific evidence that the human brain is not fully formed until the age of

12, and childhood exposure to some of the most common pesticides on the market may

greatly impact the development of the central nervous system. (toxic action center,

2017) kids will most likely be the greatest affected by the pesticides since they are not

fully developed when exposed, a babys immature liver and kidneys cannot remove

pesticides from the body as well as adults liver and kidneys (NPIC, 2017) babys and

kids havent fully developed completely so they have a greater risk at getting ill from
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pesticides poisoning and this can cause many problems for them later in the future.

(Lucas S. F., Allen P. J., 2009) The table above (Image 1) shows seven different type of

pesticides and the health effects that can be caused if one were to be exposed to one of

these pesticides. Each with its own hazardous effect that can prove disastrous to the

human body.

Can pesticides be replaced?

For years scientist, have looked for a replacement to pesticides and their harmful

effects. They have looked for a solution thats ecofriendly and has the same results as

pesticides without harming the environment or any living organism that is beneficial to
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the earth or humans. There are alternatives to using pesticides. These are generally

known as sustainable agriculture or alternative agriculture. Under these names there

are several practices, some very old, that can reduce the need for, or substantially

reduce, the amount or type of pesticides that you may use. (Southern states, 2017)

there are many old methods and different ways that pesticides can be replaced but

most are not as effective or are less convenient to use. Although there are also natural

ways of keeping insects away like Steve mentions Plants helping other plants: There

are a few natural repellents that don't kill the bugs but will help keep them away from

your garden. Plant marigolds and feverfew around vegetable and flower gardens. Most

insects dislike the strong odor. Some types of pungent basil and sage also repel a

variety of insects. Chives and nasturtium can keep aphids off rose bushes. Borage will

keep worms out of tomatoes. Rosemary keeps away mosquitoes. (Steve Graham,

2009) using other plant to repel insects is one way of protecting plants its a more

natural way of helping other plants but it does not get rid of the pest instead it will just

keep it away. Alternative methods have been practiced for some time and include: Crop

rotation, Polyculture, Trap crops, Reduced use of chemical pesticides, Organic farming,

Biological pest control, The release of other organisms, such as natural pest predators

and parasites, Genetic engineering practices, such as insect breeding interference.

(southern states, 2017) most are alternatives to the use of pesticides but not merely as

effective as pesticides.

In an interview that I conducted I interviewed Jose Alvarado a local farmer in the

Clint, TX area he owns land which he uses to grow hay and other crops. I asked

whether he liked to use pesticides and if not what methods did he use to keep the pest
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away, he answered I dont like pesticides because they mess up the crops. I like to use

fertilizers, there are chemical fertilizers that can keep pest away from the crops. Also,

you can paint the tree trunks white instead of using pesticides it keeps the insects from

entering the trunk. (J. Alvarado, 2017) Both can be great alternatives but are they safe?

Replacing pesticides with chemical fertilizers seems like a good idea but according to

the article curse of the chemical fertilizer chemical fertilizer has a downside, it has in

fact affected fertility, it has hardened the soil and polluted both the air and water and

affected the environment and human health in the NCP in particular and also in the

NWP, where kidney disease is rampant and other rice growing areas such as the

Eastern Province. (Sri Lanka, 2016) Chemical fertilizers can be just as bad as

pesticides. There are many alternative solutions to the pesticide problem but most of the

alternatives have the same effect as pesticides or require intensive labor work. The

problem of pesticide disposal in the Third World is that the solution often involves high-

technology incinerators, which may not be available in these countries. In addition,

many of the pesticide stocks are found in extremely remote locations (Journal of

commerce) Not all pesticides can be replaced since some parts of the world have it and

cant get rid of it. So far pesticides have not been able to be removed successfully from

the market since they cannot be fully replaced with a solution that wont have the same

hazardous effects as pesticides.

(N. L. Swanson, 2010) This graph (Image 2) shows the rate of pesticide used from 1990

to 2010 with all the other alternative solutions the graph shows how some Pesticides

like Insecticides are not used as much as they had been used before, but they are still

being used. Pesticides can be put aside and use the more ecofriendly alternatives but
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most likely they wont be completely forgotten and will still be used in the future until

theres a better way of removing pest.

Conclusion

After analyzing the questions the research that was done can help expand the

knowledge that the reader had about this topic from before they started to the

knowledge that they have obtained and now have about the topic. The question where

organized in a certain order to help the reader. The first question (How have pesticides

affected the world?) introduces the reader to the world of pesticides by informing them

of why they were created and what the outcomes of this creation has been the good

and the bad outcomes. The second question (What are health effects that pesticides

can cause?) gives more specific information about the effects but focuses on the health

effects that it has had on humans. It also shows how humans realized that pesticides

where a problem that must not be ignored for their safety. The final question (can

pesticides be replaced?) this was chosen to be the last question since it talks about how

there are alternatives to pesticides but the answer shows us that pesticides will still be

around in the future since they can be helpful but there is not a way of completely

getting rid of pesticides since we still need them. In This literature review, there where

many sources that were used to find an answer the questions. recent and old articles

where used to give an example of how humans have addressed this problem since a

long time ago and how it has been progressing over time while still obtaining more

information about the effects of pesticides.

The interview that I did as my primary research helped in the development of this

paper. The interview connects to two of the three questions but was only mentioned
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once to help find the answers to the third that was being analyzed it helped get me

started into the further research concerning the different alternatives that could be used

and if they were effective. The interview was helpful because compared to the other

sources it is the most recent and the information came from an individual that has

experience in this topic, since he had used pesticides before unlike other sources who

obtained their work by doing research. Overall, this literature review helps expand the

knowledge over pesticides and by answering the questions it requires the reader and

the person doing the review to open its mind so they can view the issue from different

perspectives so it can be truly understood.

References

American Association for the advancement of science, (2017) Farmers & Pesticides.

Retrieved from http://sciencecenterlinks.com/science-news/science-updates

Dr. Mercola, (2014, April 29) Bad News about Pesticides. Retrieved from

http://www.articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/04/29/pesticides

Jonathan H. Adler (1992) HIDDEN RISKS OF PESTICIDE BANS.

Retrieved from www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic

Journal of Commerce (August 29, 1991) Pesticide disposal problems challenge

developing nations Retrieved from
http://0-www.lexisnexis.com.lib.utep.edu/hottopics/lnacademic/
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Lah, Katarina (2011) Effects of Pesticides on Human Health. Retrieved from

http://www.toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Effects+of+Pesticides+on+Human+He
alth
Link TV, (2014, Oct 13), Neonicotinoids: The New DDT?

Retrieved from http://www.linktv.org?earthfocus

Lucas S. F., Allen P. J. (2009) Commonly Used Agricultural Pesticide Classes in the U.
S. and Their Known Human Toxicity [image 2] Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/38092250_Reducing_the_risk_of_pesticide_e
xposure_among_children_of_agricultural_workers_how_nurse_practitioners_can_addre
ss_pesticide_safety_in_the_primary_care_setting

N. L. Swanson (2014) Pesticide application rate [image 2]

Retrieved from http://farmwars.info/?p=11515

National pesticide information center (Nov 6, 2015) Pesticides and children

Retrieved from http://npic.orst.edu/health/child.html

Penn state extension (2016) Potential Health Effects of Pesticides. Retrieved from
http://extension.psu.edu/pests/pesticide-education/applicators/fact-
sheets/pesticide-safety/potential-health-effects-of-pesticides

Southern States (N/A) Alternatives to Using Pesticides. Retrieved from

https://www.southernstates.com/articles/pesticide-alternatives.aspx

Sri Lanka (March 17, 2016 Thursday). Curse of the chemical fertilizer.
Retrieved from www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic
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Steve Graham (Sep 2, 2009) Non-Toxic insecticide Alternatives Retrieved from

http://www.networx.com/article/non-toxic-insecticide-alternatives

Toxins action center, (2015) The problem with pesticides

Retrieved from http://toxicsaction.org/problems-and-solutions