![]() ![]() In order to prevent pesticides from being carried through the air, many countries have implemented regulations that require windbreaks or buffer zones around targeted crops. Some pesticides also emit volatile organic compounds that react with other chemicals in the atmosphere and create tropospheric ozone, a greenhouse gas that affects how long methane and other hydrocarbons remain in the atmosphere. ![]() This means that warmer summer temperatures typically result in increased pesticide concentrations in the air, which are then introduced to human and animal respiratory systems. The distance that these pesticides can travel depends on wind speed, relative humidity levels, and external temperatures. Once the chemicals leave the intended target, they can be carried across long distances, potentially entering delicate ecosystems. It is more common in warmer climates and seasons when evaporation occurs at a faster rate, preventing the pesticide from being absorbed into the ground. Herbicide (or pesticide) volatilization is what happens when the chemical reaches its intended destination and later evaporates into the air, being carried downwind. ![]() Pesticide drift occurs when pesticide is sprayed on crops and carried off by the wind before reaching the plants or when it undergoes volatilization. These chemicals are also easily carried on the wind to other, non-agricultural areas, in a phenomenon known as pesticide drift. Pesticides do not only collect on plants, seep into the ground, and wash away into nearby waterways. Several countries around the world, including the US and the UK, have passed drinking water safety laws in an attempt to regulate and reduce the amount of pesticides found in public water systems. Rain and groundwater sources have also been found to be contaminated. In fact, research has found that every stream and around 90% of all water wells are polluted with pesticides in the US. Additionally, they may be washed into nearby streams and rivers. Pesticides seep into the soil and find their way into groundwater. Less fertile soils mean less plant growth, which, in turn, means farmers must use increased quantities of fertilizer for successful crop yields. This lack of organic matter also allows pesticides to continue to build up in the soil instead of breaking down the chemicals. ![]() Organic matter helps soil retain water, which can be extremely helpful to agricultural workers, particularly during droughts. Additionally, it removes a large percentage of organic matter. This means the soil has a lower quality overall and is less fertile. Perhaps the most detrimental of these effects is that pesticide causes biodiversity loss in soil. Once applied to crops, pesticides work their way into the soil, where it has devastating effects. Companies have begun developing pesticides with reduced side effects for non-target species as well. As a result of some of this research, both the United States and the European Union have stopped using organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, some of the most toxic of all pesticides. While research concerning the exact impact of pesticides on the environment is varied, it has increased over the last few decades. Additionally, storage, transportation, and production allow some quantities of pesticides to be introduced to the environment. As these chemicals travel to other areas, they affect a number of plant and animal species. This is because pesticides are applied over large tracts of land and carried away by wind and water runoff. Research has shown, for example, that over 95% of herbicides and over 98% of insecticides do not reach the targeted pest. What Is the Environmental Impact Of Pesticides?īecause pesticides are sprayed over large areas of land, they have a widespread impact on the environment. This article takes a closer look at the environmental impact of pesticide use. These include insecticide, fungicide, and herbicide (to name a few). Pesticides are known by various names, depending on their target. They are also commonly used to exterminate mosquitoes to prevent the spread of malaria, West Nile virus, and yellow fever. The agricultural industry relies heavily on the application of pesticides to protect crop yields from damage. Pesticides are chemicals that deter and eliminate certain pest populations including insects, rodents, fungi, weeds, and other animals. ![]()
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