Toxic Effects of Pesticides and Agrochemicals

Abstract

This chapter deals with the toxic effects of different pesticides such as organochlorine insecticides, organophosphorus insecticides, carbamate insecticides, pyrethroids, formamidines, nicotinamides, botanical insecticides, fumigants, fungicides, herbicides, rodenticides, and various fertilizers used by the farmers. Pesticides and agricultural chemicals are among the most widely used group of chemicals in modern world and have provided immense benefits to mankind by controlling pests, significantly enhancing food production, and improving health. However, their massive and indiscriminate use in crop protection, food preservation, and insect pest control has led to acute or chronic poisoning incidents in human, domestic animals, and wildlife and resulted in widespread ecological adverse effects. Survey indicates that today herbicides and insecticides (organophosphates [OPs] and carbamates [CMs]) are commonly used in agriculture and industry and around homes/gardens throughout the world. Small animals often encounter poisoning with these insecticides via malicious activity or accidental exposure, while livestock may ingest freshly sprayed crop or contaminated feed. Among other pesticides, rodenticide (warfarin), and fumigant (aluminum phosphide) are the common causes of poisoning malicious/suicide poisonings because of their easy availability.