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Problems Associated with the Use of Pesticides: An Overview

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Yakub D. Deedat
Yakub D. Deedat
Affiliation:
Department of Crop Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
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Abstract

It is evident that our environment has been flooded with pesticides and that some of these have had effects other than those intended. There is no doubt that indiscriminate use of pesticides has the potential to upset temporarily many ecological patterns. Whether this is significant in the long run remains to be seen.

It is sincerely hoped that the experience of the past (especially in the first world) will ensure wiser use of the pesticides in the future (primarily in the third world). It is likely that new pesticides will be developed and that they will bring new problems. Some of these problems may have far-reaching environmental implications in terms of their potential benefits and their propensity for damage. These problems will be compounded by residues of pesticides and a host of other contaminants already present. Therefore, it should and must be everyone's responsibility that the potential benefits from pesticides are maximised. However, such maximisation will be realised only if the environmental implications of their use is understood, and if they are applied with discretion to minimise their side effects.

Résumé

Avec des témoignages de notre environnement inondé de pesticides dont certains ont eu des effets indésirables, il n'y a pas de doute que leur emploi aveugle soit source de dangers potentiels qui peuvent bouleverser temporairement plusieurs équilibres écologiques. Seul le temps pourra confirmer si ceux-ci sont d'une certaine ampleur.

On nourrit sincèrement l'espoir que l'expérience vécue par le passé (en particulier dans le Nouveau-Monde) conduira vers une utilisation plus rationnelle de pesticides à l'avenir (essentiellement dans le Tiers-Monde). Il est vraisemblable que de nouveaux pesticides seront developpés et qui ne seront pas sans engendrer de nouveaux problèmes, parmi lesquels certains auront des répercussions autrement plus profondes sur l'environnement du point de vue de bénéfices et dégâts potentiels. Ces problèmes seront rendus plus complexes par des résidus de pesticides et la multitude de contaminants déjà présents. Par conséquent, il sera du devoir et de la responsibilitéde chacun que les bénéfices potentiels tirés de pesticides soient maximisés. Cependant, cela n'aura de sens que si nous comprennons les répercussions environnementales de leur utilisation et si nous les employons avec prudence de telle sorte que les effets secondaires indésirables soient évités.

Keywords

Environmentpesticidesecological patternspesticide residuesEnvironnementpesticideséquilibre écologiquerésidus des pesticides
Type
Mini Review
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 15 , Issue 3 , June 1994 , pp. 247 - 251
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1994

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