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

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 LD 50 : 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 _____________________