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Herbicides are commonly applied in ponds and lakes to control algae and plants such as water grasses that can interfere with activities like swimming and fishing and cause the water to look or smell unpleasant. Helfrich, LA, Weigmann, DL, Hipkins, P, and Stinson, ER (June 1996), Pesticides and aquatic animals: A guide to reducing impacts on aquatic systems . Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved on 2007-10-14.

By the 15th century, toxic chemicals such as arsenic, mercury and lead were being applied to crops to kill pests. In the 17th century, nicotine sulfate was extracted from tobacco leaves for use as an insecticide. The 19th century saw the introduction of two more natural pesticides, pyrethrum which is derived from chrysanthemums, and rotenone which is derived from the roots of tropical vegetables. Miller, GT (2002).

During the registration process, a label is created which contains directions for the proper use of the material. Based on acute toxicity, pesticides are assigned to a Toxicity Class.

Measures were approved to improve the general safety of pesticides across all EU member states.

To deal with inconsistencies in regulations among countries, delegates to a conference of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization adopted an International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides in 1985 to create voluntary standards of pesticide regulation for different countries.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Programmes: International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides . Retrieved on 2007-10-25.

Pesticides are one of the causes of water pollution, and some pesticides are persistent organic pollutants and contribute to soil contamination.

Ecobichon DJ. 1996. Toxic effects of pesticides. In: Casarett and Doull's Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons (Klaassen CD, Doull J, eds). 5th ed. New York:MacMillan, 643689.

In a paper appearing in the May, 2008, issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers said the associations between specific pesticides and incident diabetes ranged from a 20 percent to a 200 percent increase in risk. New cases of diabetes were reported by 3.4 percent of those in the lowest pesticide use category compared with 4.6 percent of those in the highest category. Risks were greater when users of specific pesticides were compared with applicators who never applied that chemical.

These concerns are one reason for the organic food movement. Many food crops, including fruits and vegetables, 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. Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine (March 1999), Consumer concerns about pesticides in food . Fact Sheet #24. Retrieved on 2007-10-25.

Environmental Protection Agency and are considered safe. US Environmental Protection Agency (March 27, 2007), Pesticides and food: What the pesticide residue limits are on food . epa.gov. Retrieved on September 15, 2007.

National Research Council (1993), Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children . National Academies Press. ISBN 0-309-04875-3. Retrieved on 2007-10-11.

US Environmental Protection Agency (December 1999), Spray drift of pesticides . Retrieved on September 15, 2007.

BBC News. (February 8, 2007), Pesticides . Retrieved on September 15, 2007.

Reducing the use of pesticides and choosing less toxic pesticides may reduce risks placed on society and the environment from pesticide use.

In addition, EPA is registering reduced-risk conventional pesticides in increasing numbers.

Source: Wikipedia > Pesticide



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