PESTICIDES

PESTICIDES
Pesticides are chemicals used in the control of plants, animals or organisms that constitute pests or a nuisance to man. They are several types of pesticides, some of which are herbicides-for the control of weeds, insecticides-for the control of insects, fungicides-for the control of fungi etc. These chemicals are usually made from organic or inorganic substances. Although in recent times there has been wide spread campaigns canvassing for the use of only biodegradable substances to be used in the production of these chemicals. This is obviously because of their effects on the environment.
These chemicals have been so useful especially in the agricultural industry. Their discovery has largely contributed to transformation from the old crude methods in agriculture to modern farming techniques which have significantly contributed to the success of modern large scale agriculture. The benefits of pesticides to man and his environment are enormous. They have been useful in controlling animals or organisms that are potential dangers or even killers both to man and his crops. For example, in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a certain class of reptiles and rodents that are known to destroy rice farms and can even kill man when bitten by them. These rodents and reptiles where a great threat to the farmers until a particular chemical was discovered that could kill them and also alter their reproductive cycle. Consequently, there was an explosion in its use because of the solution that it gave them, and the assurance of a definite bountiful harvest at the end of the season.
Pesticides also make work a lot easier, faster, and much more rewarding than what it would be without them. For instance, farming communities in north-central Nigeria were used to weeding their farms three to four (3-4) times before the harvest period. But with the onset of the use of pesticides, no weeding needs to be done again once farms are sprayed with pesticides. This gives the farmers significant time to do several other things while anticipating a bountiful yield.
In as much as these chemicals have brought significant relief to man from threats in his environment, they have also brought with them several issues of concern to the sustenance of man’s environment and his health. It has been discovered that most of these chemicals are poisonous and tend to affect other animals and organisms that are useful to man. The effects of some of these chemicals are very drastic on man’s health and his environment .one of the most devastating effects of these chemicals is their pollution of water bodies. This has far reaching consequences as it destroys water supply to man and affects aquatic life. For instance, there was an incidence of a chemical; dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) poisoning in the United States in the 1960s.DDT was used successfully in controlling insect vectors of diseases. But in the long run, emerging facts showed that it was detrimental to the environment. This chemical polluted water bodies, destroying aquatic life and altering food chains in the ecosystem. Some of these animals had fed on this chemical along with their food. Thus, passing the poison up the food chain in greater concentration. This eventually got to man who is usually at the end of most food chains with consequent poisoning of large human populations. There is also a very high tendency for domestic accidents to occur resulting into food poisoning, burns etc from these chemicals when they are not properly stored and kept away from the reach of children.
It is obviously clear that the importance of handling and using pesticides and herbicides with great caution cannot be overemphasized. Pesticides should be boldly labeled and stored away from food stores and kept out of reach of children in order to fore stall incidences of domestic accidents and food poisoning. Also, protective clothing should be worn when handling these chemicals and instructions for use and precautionary statements should be strictly adhered to and taken seriously. Manufacturers of pesticides should ensure that chemicals used are biodegradable, in order to make sure that they do not constitute a greater challenge to man and his environment. It is also recommended that non-chemical control of pest should be explored too.