Pesticides as Water Pollutants

Abstract

A chemical that is toxic to one animal may also be toxic to other forms of animal life. Although it might take a larger dose of pesticides to harm humans than pests, such as insects, many pesticides are still toxic to humans. The doses needed to kill a pest might not kill us, but may still harm us. Many pesticides classified as herbicides are designed to target plant pests. The exceptions to this are broad spectrum herbicides that are designed to kill a wide variety of plants. An herbicide that is specific to one or more species of plants does not ensure that it is safe to enter the water system. Some of the dangers from these chemicals are yet to be fully understood. Caution should be used to ensure that these products do not unnecessarily enter the water system. Using safe, well-planned applications of materials, such as pesticides, decreases the risk to humans and other animals. The overall picture is not as bleak as one might be imagining as the optimization of these important water resources are available at present and will also be available in the near future. Owing to the threat to water systems and mechanisms, those that may cause water to become polluted are now well-understood and precautions have been taken to protect the quality of water.