Chemical Specifics
There are two types of pesticides, target specific and broad spectrum pesticides. Target specific is when a pesticides is chemically engineered so that is will only have an effect on a certain species of insect. An example of a highly selective pesticide is 2,4-D (2,4 dicholrophenoxyethanoic acid). This is a herbicide used to help control the growth of weeds and dandelions. While it eliminates these organisms, other broad level plants are not effected by the pesticide.
Broad spectrum pesticides are when the chemical does not target a specific type of bug species, but targets a whole range of different bug species. Because broad spectrum pesticides are targeted at more then one species, the toxicity of the pesticide is lower then specific spectrums. Having a lower toxicity will force the pesticide to act as a repellent instead of a killer. One example of this Insect repellant, all insects are targeted by the pesticide rather then just one species. The chemical name for bug spray is; N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide or N,N-diethly-3-methyl-benzamide.
"Pesticides." Pesticides. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
Broad spectrum pesticides are when the chemical does not target a specific type of bug species, but targets a whole range of different bug species. Because broad spectrum pesticides are targeted at more then one species, the toxicity of the pesticide is lower then specific spectrums. Having a lower toxicity will force the pesticide to act as a repellent instead of a killer. One example of this Insect repellant, all insects are targeted by the pesticide rather then just one species. The chemical name for bug spray is; N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide or N,N-diethly-3-methyl-benzamide.
"Pesticides." Pesticides. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
LD50 and LC50
LD and LC values tell us the toxicity of pesticides. These values state concentrations at which the killing effect on an organism is observed. LD is the dosage of a chemical substance, given all at once, that kills half the population tested within a specified time. LC is the concentration of a chemical substance in air or water that kills half the population tested within a specified time.
The LD50 values for the 2,4-D pesticide on rainbow trout is 358 mg/L. The LC50 values against rainbow trout is 0.642 mg/L if its younger than 5 days, and 1.555 mg/L if its between 3 months and 1 year.
The LD50 values for insect repellant against most insects is 22 ng/L. The LC50 values are the exact same.
"Common Menu Bar Links." Pesticides and Pest Management. N.p., 04 Feb. 2013. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
The LD50 values for the 2,4-D pesticide on rainbow trout is 358 mg/L. The LC50 values against rainbow trout is 0.642 mg/L if its younger than 5 days, and 1.555 mg/L if its between 3 months and 1 year.
The LD50 values for insect repellant against most insects is 22 ng/L. The LC50 values are the exact same.
"Common Menu Bar Links." Pesticides and Pest Management. N.p., 04 Feb. 2013. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
Considerations When Using Pesticides.
When spraying a pesticide you have to consider multiple factors that could occur. Spraying a pest in one way to insure direct contact, but you also have to consider what happens to the environment around the pest that you just sprayed. Spraying on a windy day can cause some of the spray to drift away on to other crops or bodies of water near the area, this could affect that environment and the life in it.
Pesticides have been detected in the Arctic and are believed to have traveled by the grasshopper affect. The grasshopper affect is the transport of pesticides that results from their evaporation in warmer climates and condensation and disposition in colder climates.
"Pesticides." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
Pesticides have been detected in the Arctic and are believed to have traveled by the grasshopper affect. The grasshopper affect is the transport of pesticides that results from their evaporation in warmer climates and condensation and disposition in colder climates.
"Pesticides." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
Environmental Persistance and Negative Effects
Pesticides that contain halogenated hydrocarbons and organic compounds containing benzene rings often have a persistence in the environment. Micro organisms in the soil can use the pesticide molecules as a source of carbon for their growth. So if the pesticide is put into an environment for the purpose of getting rid of a certain organism or species, plants and soil could feed on the pesticide to grow. This leaves the pesticide molecule broken down and it is no longer effective for fighting the organism designed for originally.
"Ministry of Agriculture." Pesticide Wise – British Columbia. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
"Ministry of Agriculture." Pesticide Wise – British Columbia. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
Pest Resistance and Why It's Negative
Just like in humans, organisms can develop mutations and variations to become immune to things. This means that when we develop a pesticide to wipe out a population, they can develop mutations that they pass on the offspring which makes them immune to our pesticide. This forces us to create new pesticides that will affect the mutated population. This is negative because the organism that we want to get rid of can produce offspring rapidly and the mutated gene is dominant so it gets passed on every time. This can be avoidable by not relying on one product alone. By simply switching up the pesticide you use every now and then it makes it easier to control the desired organism.
"Pesticide Regulation." Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
"Pesticide Regulation." Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
Government Regulations on Pesticides
In Canada the "Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA)" is responsible for the pesticide regulation. Pesticides are carefully regulated in Canada under the "Pest Control Products Act" Under this act agencies are required to preform these tests before a product can be put to use; they are to register pesticides after a strict science based evaluation that ensures any risks with the product are acceptable, re-evaluating the pesticide product that is currently on the market shelves every fifteen years to ensure the product meets current standards, and to promote sustainable pest management to the public. Health Canada also works with provincial, territorial, and federal departments in Canada to help strengthen pesticide regulation throughout canada.
Alternative Technologies
Pesticides are used a lot in everyday life, for example, a farmer will often spray his fields with chemicals to help keep the pests away and to prevent them from eating and ruining the harvest. But when using mass amounts of chemical sprays there can be consequences, such as drift and the grasshopper effect. To prevent these things form happening people will use alternative technologies in place of pesticides. Some of these alternative methods include introducing a larger natural predator to the area that will feed on the pests keeping their population low. Some benefits to using alternative methods can be that you are helping the environment by not using so many chemicals, but you might also end up saving money by not having to buy all sorts of expensive chemicals.