Pesticides are chemical compounds that are used to kill pests, including insects, rodents, fungi and unwanted plants (weeds). Over 1000 different pesticides are used around the world. Pesticides are used in public health to kill vectors of disease, such as mosquitoes, and in agriculture to kill pests that damage crops.
We have at least 500 types of pesticides, and the number of different products for sale is consequently even higher. The main groups of pesticides are categorized into the following five groups: Insecticides (killing insects)
What are the most commonly used pesticides?
The most commonly used insecticides are the organophosphates, pyrethroids and carbamates (see Figure 1). The USDA (2001) reported that insecticides accounted for 12% of total pesticides applied to the surveyed crops. Corn and cotton account for the largest shares of insecticide use in the United States.16 Feb 2021
A. Examples of pesticides are fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides. Examples of specific synthetic chemical pesticides are glyphosate, Acephate, Deet, Propoxur, Metaldehyde, Boric Acid, Diazinon, Dursban, DDT, Malathion, etc.24 Aug 2020
What happens when pesticides enter your body?
Dermal exposure happens when your skin is exposed to pesticides. This can cause irritation or burns. In more serious cases, your skin can absorb the pesticide into the body, causing other health effects. Some pesticides evaporate more easily than others so they are more likely to be inhaled.