Agricultural Pesticides

Term Paper # 100151

Agricultural Studies
Environmental Studies
Medical and Health

This paper discusses the uses of pesticides in agriculture and their dangers.

1,018 words () | 5 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that pesticides have been used for decades as a way of eliminating pests in order to protect crops. The paper discusses how many critics have called for stopping the use of pesticides because of perceived dangers. The paper maintains that some forms of pesticide may be needed to protect the crops and add to the yield, but reducing the use of pesticides as much as possible is better for the environment and for the consumer in the long run.

From the Paper:

"Americans largely accept the use of pesticides because they are told that pesticides are safe, though the sheer volume of pesticides used each year can be alarming as more than two million pounds of these poisons are added to the environment annually. These chemicals are found not only on food but in the water supply, with one of every ten drinking water wells in the U.S. affected along with thousands of lakes, rivers, and waterways across the country. The primary source of water pollution in the country is agriculture. At least 38 percent of the food supply contains pesticide residues, and many food items may have more than one pesticide, and as many as twelve (Meyerhoff, 1993, para. 8)."

Sample of Sources Used:

California Pesticide Use Summaries (2006, October 19). UC IPM Statewide. Retrieved November 1, 2006 from http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PUSE/overview.html.
Igbedioh, S.O. (1991, July 1). Effects of agricultural pesticides on humans, animals, and higher plants in developing countries. Archives of Environmental Health. Retrieved November 1, 2006 from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-11119862.html.
Meyerhoff, A. (1993, November). We must get rid of pesticides in the food supply: exposure to these deadly chemicals can cause cancer, birth defects, and neurological damage. USA Today, Volume 122, Issue 2582. Retrieved October 31, 2006 from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5002197654.
Mozes, A. (2006, June). Pesticides could raise Parkinson's risk. HealthDay. Retrieved November 1, 2006 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmhea/is_200606/ai_n16548970.
Pesticides linked with birth weight (2004, June). Environment. Retrieved November 2, 2006 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1076/is_5_46/ai_n6123886.