m44.    Why are there detractors of pesticides?

Pesticides don’t stay where they are put, but can move into water systems and food chains. They are chemically amplified in the food web. They impact fish, birds and honeybees. Inert ingredients make up 80-99% by weight of a pesticide and can pose a higher health risk than some active ingredients. In humans there have been 67,000 cases of non-fatal poisonings annually, 200 fatalities from poisonings annually, and 10,000 cases of pesticide related cancer annually. Pesticides produce toxic residues. Three percent of the food purchased in the US has a higher than allowed residue. Active ingredients in 90% of fungicides, 60% of herbicides, and 30% of insecticides may cause cancer in humans. There is a link between pesticides and mutations, birth defects, and nervous, immune and endocrine systems disorders.  

e01.    What is biodiversity?

e03.    How do pathogens and insects affect trees?

e10.    Why do organisms become extinct?

e14.    What are the basic components of life?

e19.    What materials can cause water pollution?

e20.    What are environmental hazards and risks?

e21.    What are chemical hazards?

g17.    Is some matter more useful than other matter?

g19.    Where do you find air pollution?