Pesticides: Choose Your Poison What are pesticides?

Pesticides: Choose Your Poison

What are pesticides?

What are pesticides? Pesticides are by

definition poisons Designed to kill

undesirable plants, insects, plant ___________________________ , or other undesirable pests

If used ___________________, pesticides can injure or kill desirable organisms

Pesticides Types of pesticides

___________________: kill insects Sevin, Rotenone

Fungicides: kill fungi Bravo

Herbicides: kill _________________ Roundup

Limit use of pesticides to those crops that would otherwise be seriously damaged by insects and diseases

Pesticide label

Information on pesticide label

Key warning words Caution –related to the

acute toxicity of the pesticide

“Restricted Use Pesticide” – use only by certified applicators

Type of pesticide Active ingredient –

material that kills the pest Inert ingredients

What are these? Do not have to be

disclosed

The Label is the Guide to Properly Handling of Pesticides

Carefully follow directions on the pesticide label

Wear protective clothing

Store pesticides in a _________________ area that children cannot access

The Label is the Guide to Properly Handling of Pesticides

Dispose of pesticides and empty containers properly

Re-_____________ time: the amount of time to wait after applying a pesticide before you can enter your garden

Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity The effect of a pesticide on

you is dependent on the toxicity of the pesticide and your exposure

________________: a combination of toxicity and exposure

Toxicity Introduction

__________________ capacity of a material to produce death or injury

Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity

Introduction to toxicity (continued) All materials are toxic at

some ___________________________ If handled properly,

pesticides will not cause injury

Two types of toxicity _______________ toxicity _______________ toxicity

Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity

Acute toxicity Injury that occurs soon after

exposure to a pesticide Pesticide “___________________” on the

skin would be an example of acute toxicity

LD50: dose required to kill ___________% of laboratory test animals

Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity

Warning Indicators on Label Highly toxic pesticides

Contain a drawing of a _______________ and crossbones

Danger: Poison _________________________ toxic pesticides

Warning Slightly toxic pesticides

Caution

Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity

Chronic toxicity Injury that occurs after _________________-

term exposure to a pesticide _________________ developing many years

after exposure to a pesticide is an example of chronic toxicity

Other types of chronic toxicity Birth defects ___________________________ system effects Nervous system effects

Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity

Exposure Your ____________________ with a

pesticide. Depends on: Length of time How exposed to pesticide

The most exposure to a pesticide will occur when handling or mixing a ________________________________ pesticide

Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity

Methods of exposure __________________

Pesticide is ingested through a person’s mouth

Dermal Exposure through a person’s skin

Inhalation Exposure is through breathing in a

pesticide through the ___________________

Organic vs. Synthetic Pesticides

Organic Pesticides Definition: a pesticide

made from a natural product that has undergone only a little ________________________

Just because the pesticide is derived from a “natural” source does not mean that it is not ____________________

Organic Pesticides

Advantages ______________ persistence Are less harmful to beneficial insects Do not need ______________ for their production

Disadvantages Some are very toxic They can be ____________________ Their effectiveness can vary They lack persistence

Synthetic Pesticides Definition: a pesticide synthesized from

_____________________ derived materials Advantages

Relatively inexpensive Are ___________________ Will persist

Disadvantages May be harmful to beneficial organisms Potential for pesticide _____________________