Pesticides

A pesticide is a substance or mixture of substances used to kill a pest.A pesticide may be a chemical substance, biological agent (such as a virus or bacteria), antimicrobial, disinfectant or device used against any pest(insects , plant pathogens , weeds,molluscs,birds,fish ,mammals and microbes.Although there are benefits there are some disavantages such as potential toxicity to humans and other animals.

Environmental effects

Pesticide use raises a number of environmental concerns. Over 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of herbicides reach a destination other than their target species, including non-target species, air, water, bottom sediments, and food. pesticide drift occurs when pesticides suspended in the air as particles are carried by wind to other areas. Pesticides are one of the causes of water pollution, and some pesticides are persistent organic pollutants and contribute to soil contamination.






Consumers


There are concerns that pesticides used to control pests on food crops are dangerous to people who consume those foods.Many food crops, inclu ding fruits and vegetables, still contain pesticide residues after being washed or peeled. Chemicals that are no longer used but which are resistant to breakdown for long periods may remain in soil and water and thus in food this is a grave situation the people's health.

Sources:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Hazardous-pesticide.jpg
http://help4autism.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/pesticides.jpg
http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/mba0244l.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollution