Uses and Environmental Pollution of Biocides - Pesticides: Evaluation of Environmental Pollution - page 3

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Uses and Environmental Pollution of Biocides
Mahmoud Farag Mahmoud and Naglaa Loutfy
CONTENTS
1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 3
1.2 Pesticides: A Global View ..................................................................................................... 4
1.2.1 History of Pesticides .................................................................................................. 4
1.2.2 Biocides and Pesticides ............................................................................................. 6
1.2.3 Pesticide Market in the Worldwide ......................................................................... 7
1.2.4 Challenges of Climate Change and Pesticides ...................................................... 9
1.2.5 Pesticide Use in Developing Countries ................................................................ 11
1.2.6 Pesticide Movement in the Environment ............................................................. 12
1.3 Unavoidable Cost ................................................................................................................. 13
1.3.1 Human Health.......................................................................................................... 14
1.3.2 Environmental Contamination.............................................................................. 15
1.3.3 Pesticides Residues in Food.................................................................................... 16
1.3.4 Biodiversity Loss...................................................................................................... 17
1.4 Out of the Impasse............................................................................................................... 17
1.4.1 Pest Control: A Changing Concept ....................................................................... 18
1.4.2 Pesticide Alternatives .............................................................................................. 18
1.4.3 Genetic Engineering and Herbicide-Resistant Crops......................................... 20
1.4.4 Green Chemistry and Green Pesticides................................................................ 21
References....................................................................................................................................... 21
1.1 Introduction
Man's endeavors to improve his life have been a long and momentous pursuit through-
out. Ecosystems, in which life thrived, have been generous donors of numerous services
that man has tamed, manipulated, and extracted copious dividends and values from.
Agricultural ecosystems have especially played a pivotal role, providing man with his
basic needs for foods, feeds, fibers, and many other raw materials. Each year, forty mil-
lion people die of hunger and hunger-related diseases. Our world is growing at an enor-
mous rate, and by the year 2050, its population could reach 10 billion. World population
growth is projected to reach over 8 billion in 2030 and to level off at 9 billion by 2050. The
unprecedented increase in human population that the last century witnessed has trig-
gered a massive increase in man's need for food and feed. Frequent drought and lack of
rain in various parts of the world have added one more somber dimension to food short-
age. The United Nations Organization has challenged the international community to
work together to improve the situation, and one of the main objectives of the Millennium
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