Chemical Pesticides - A Potential Environmental Threat By:- Iqra Ahmed

Chemical Pesticides - A Potential Environmental Threat

By:- Iqra Ahmed

Chemical pesticides are being used in Pakistan for years and we clearly know its benefits but what we don’t know is how harmful use of chemical pesticides is to human health. Pesticides are designed to kill fungus, plants or animals that feed on crops. Chemical Pesticides are dangerous because they contain Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP’s). They’re called persistent because they are not easily removed from the environment.

Pesticides transfer in the environment from the various ways. They:

·                 Are carried by the wind

·                 Leave residues on product

·                 Remain inside produce and animals

·                 Run off into open water, contaminating public water supply as well as fish and other seafood

Chemical Pesticides can cause: brain disorder, skin irritation, cancer, fatigue and many other problems.

Therefore, we should try to find a better alternative for chemical pesticides rather than risking our health and life. One of the best alternative is the use of biological pesticides. They can be developed using fungi, bacteria, and other organically present substances. Some biological pesticides are microorganisms that, without any manipulation, demonstrate natural effectiveness in targeted pest control. These generally aren’t toxic to humans or animals and don’t leave a persistent residue.