chapter 7- Pestacides and other organic compounds

why are organophosphate pesticides used

inexpensive compared to alternatives, do not persist in the environment, can be used to control wide range of insects, poisoning can produce acute and long term effects, not weakened by the resistance of insect

Dioxins

a family of chemical compounds that are unintentional byproducts of certain industrial, non industrial and natural processes, usually involving combustion

what is the most toxic dioxin

TCDD

History of DDT

widespread use in 1940, prohibited in 1972. not regarded as highly toxic pesticide, once credited with saving millions of people from malaria 

organochlorides

bioaccumulate in the food chain, associated with suppression of immune system and cancer when exposed

health effects of DDT

cancer, reproductive effects, impaired lactation, failing sperm counts, impaired neurological function

pesticide

substances intended to repel, kill, or control any species designated as a pest

insecticide

a pesticide compound specifically used to kill or prevent the growth of insects

herbicide

a pesticide designed to control or kill plants, weeds, or grasses

fungicide

a pesticide used to control fungi

nematocide

a pesticide used to kill nematodes

rodenticide 

a pesticide used to kill rates or other rodents to prevent them from damaging land 

fumigant

a pesticide that is vaporized to kill pest

pesticides relationship to nerve gases

organophosphate pesticides are related to nerve gases such as sarin, soman, and tabun

health effects of agent orange

cancer

health effects of PCB’s

causes cancer in animals, designated as probable human carcinogen, may impact immune system, reproductive system, and children intellectual development