A systematic review on global environmental risks associated with pesticide application in agriculture

Abstract

Pesticides are used to avoid, remove, or regulate damaging pests. The extensive use of these chemicals has resulted in the contamination of soil, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and has been shown to have toxic effects on humans and nonhuman biota. Pesticides include a number of chemical families, with hundreds of active ingredients, thousands of different formulations and many known or suspected adverse health outcomes. Pesticides have been found to be as a common contaminant of soil, air, water, turf, and other vegetation. In addition to affecting insects or weeds, they are also known to be toxic to other organisms including fish, birds, insects, and non-target plants. The present book chapter deals with the global fates associated with pesticide application and their possible mitigation measures.