Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Impact of Pesticides on the Environment

  • Chapter
The Pesticide Question

Abstract

The use of chemicals to control pests which harm crops, annoy humans, and transmit diseases of both animals and humans is not a new practice. Homer described how Odysseus fumigated the hall, house, and the court with burning sulfur to control pests. As long ago as A.D. 70, Pliny the Elder recommended the use of arsenic to kill insects, and the Chinese used arsenic sulfide for the same purpose as early as the 16th century. By the early 20th century, inorganic chemicals such as lead arsenate and copper acetoarsenite were in common use to control insect pests.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Alfoldi, L. 1983. Movement and interaction of nitrates and pesticides in the vegetarian cover-soil groundwater-rock system. Environmental Geology, 5, 19–25.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, R.L. 1989. Toxicity of synthetic pyrethroids to freshwater invertebrates. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 8(5), 403–410.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benoit, D.A. 1975. Chronic effects of copper on the survival, growth and reproduction of the bluegill, Lepomis macrchirus. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 104(2), 353–358.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatagnar, P., Kumar, S. and Lai, R. 1988. Uptake and bioconcentration of dieldrin, dimethoate and permethrin by Tetrahymena pyriformis. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 40(3–4), 345–349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, A.W.A. 1978. Ecology of Pesticides. Wiley and Sons, New York, Chichester, Brisbane, Toronto, 525 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brungs, W.A. 1969. Chronic toxicity of the fathead minnow, Pimephalus promelas. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 98, 272–279.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buck, N.A., Estesen, B.J. and Warne, G.W. 1983. DDT moratorium in Arizona: Residues in soil and alfalfa after 12 years. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 31, 66–72.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Butler, G.C. (ed) 1978. Principles of Ecotoxicology. Scope 12. Wiley and Sons, Chichester, New York, Brisbane, Toronto, 350 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Call, D.J., Brooke, L.T., Kent, R.J., Knuth, M.L., Poirier, S.H., Huot, J.M. and Lima, A.R. 1987. Bromacil and diuron herbicides: Toxicity, uptake and elimination in freshwater fish. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 16(5), 607–613.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carey, A.E. 1979. Monitoring pesticides in agricultural and urban soils in the United States. Pesticides Monitoring Journal, 13(1), 23–27.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carey, A.E., Garven, J.A., Tai, H., Mitchell, W.G. and Wiersma, G.B. 1979. Pesticide residue levels in soils and crops from 37 states—National Soils Monitoring Program (IV). Pesticides Monitoring Journal, 12(4), 209–233.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, C.R., Vandermeer, J.H. and Rosset, P.M. (ed) 1990. Agroecology. McGraw Hill Publishing Co., New York, 641 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carson, R. 1962. Silent Spring. Hamish Hamilton, London, 304 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, K. 1991. Effects of pesticides on wildlife. In Handbook of Pesticide Toxicology, W.J. Hayes, Jr. and E.R. Lawes, Jr. (eds), 11, 463–496. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Day, K.E. 1989. Acute chronic and sublethal effects of synthetic pyrethroids in freshwater. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 8(5), 411–416.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Domsch, K.H. 1963. Influence of plant protection chemicals on the soil microflora: Review of the literature. Mitt. Biologische Bundesanstalt Land-Forstirwch. Berlin Dahlem, 105, 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Domsch, K.H. 1983. An ecological concept for the assessment of the side-effects of agrochemicals on soil microorganisms. Residue Reviews, 86, 65.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dover, M. and Talbot, L.M. 1987. To Feed the Earth: Agroecology for Sustainable Development. World Resources Institute, Washington D.C., 88 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duffus, J.H. 1980. Environmental Toxicology. Resource and Environmental Sciences Series, Halsted Press, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 164 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eckert, J.W. 1988. Historical development of fungicide resistance in plant pathogens. In Fungicide Resistance in N. America, C.J. Delp (ed). American Phytopathological Society Press, St. Paul, 1–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C.A. 1966. Insecticide residues in soils. Residue Reviews, 13, 83–132.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C.A. 1973a. Persistent Pesticides in the Environment (2nd ed.). C.R.C. Press, Cleveland, Ohio, 170 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C.A. (ed) 1973b. Environmental Pollution by Pesticides. Plenum Press, London and New York, 542 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C.A. 1977. Nature and origins of pollution of aquatic systems by pesticides. In Pesticides in Aquatic Environments, M.A.Q. Khan (ed). Plenum Press, New York, 11–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C.A. 1985. Agrochemicals as environmental pollutants. In Control of Pesticide Residues in Food. A Directory of National Authorities and International Organizations. Bengt V. Hofsten., 1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C.A. 1988. The concept of integrated sustainable farming systems. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture, Washington, 2(4), 148–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C.A. 1989. Impact of herbicides on soil ecosystems. Critical Reviews in Plant Science, 8(3), 221–257.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C.A. 1990. The importance of integration in lower input agricultural systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 27, 25–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C.A. 1991. A Strategy for Developing and Implementing Sustainable Agriculture in Developing Countries. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C.A. and Thompson, A.R. 1973. Pesticides and the soil fauna. Residue Reviews, 45, 1–79.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C.A., Krueger, H.R. and Veeresh, G.K. (eds) 1980. Pesticide Residues in the Environment in India. University of Agricultural Science Press, Bangalore, India, 650 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C.A., Lai, R., Madden, P., Miller, R.H. and House, G. (eds) 1990. Sustainable Agricultural Systems. Soil and Water Conservation Society, Ankeny, Iowa, 696 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C.A. and Bohlen, P. 1991. The assessment of the effects of toxic chemicals on earthworms. Review of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. Vol 125, 23–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C.A. and Fisher, S. 1991. The use of cholinesterase measurements in assessing the impacts of pesticides on terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. In Cholinesterase-Inhibiting Insecticides: Their Impact on Wildlife and The Environment, P. Mineau (ed). Elsevier Science Publishers, B.V., Amsterdam, Holland, 255–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C.A., Thurston, H.D. and Janke, R., 1991. Integrated Pest Management for Sustainability in Developing Countries. In Toward Sustainability: A Plan for Collaborative Research on Agricultural and Natural Resource Management. National Research Council, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 109–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Environmental Protection Agency 1989. Pesticide Industry Sales and Usage: 1988 Market Estimates. E.P.A. Economic Analysis Branch, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleming, W.J., Clark, D.R. Jr. and Henny, C.J. 1983. Organochlorine Pesticides and P.C.B.’s: A Continuing Problem for the 1980s. Transactions of the 48th N. American Wildlife and National Resources Conference. Wildlife Management Institute, Washington, D.C., 186–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Food and Drug Administration 1990. F.D.A. Pesticide program on residues in foods. Journal of Association of Official Analytical Chemists, 73, 127–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Georghion, G.P. 1990. Overview of insecticide resistance. In Managing Resistance to Agrochemicals: From Fundamental Research to Practical Strategies, M.B. Green, H.M. LeBaron, and W.K. Moberg (eds). American Chemical Society, Washington D.C., 18–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham, F. Jr. 1970. Since Silent Spring. Hamish Hamilton, London, 297 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guenzi, W.D. (ed) 1974. Pesticides in Soil and Water: Soil Science Society of America. Madison, WI, 315 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gurney, S.E. and Robinson G.G.C. 1989. The influence of two herbicides on the productivity, biomass and community composition of freshwater marsh periphyton. Aquatic Botany, 36(1), 1–22.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hardy, A.R. 1990. Estimating exposure: the identification of species at risk and routes of exposure. In Effects of Pesticides on Terrestrial Wildlife, L. Somefville and C.H. Walker (eds). Taylor and Francis, London, 81–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, W.J. Jr. and Lawes, E.R. 1991. Handbook of Pesticide Toxicology (3 volumes). Academic Press, Inc. San Diego, New York, Boston, London, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, 1576 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Irvine, D.E.G. and Knights, B. 1974. Pollution and the Use of Chemicals in Agriculture. Butterworths, London, 136 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerry, B. 1988. Fungal parasites of cyst nematodes. In Biological Interactions in Soil, C.A. Edwards, B.R. Stinner, D. Stinner, and S. Rabatin (eds). Elsevier, Amsterdam, 293–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kingsbury, P.D. and Kreutzweiser, D.P. 1987. Permethrin treatments in Canadian forests, part 1. Impact on stream fish. Pesticide Science, 19(1), 35–48.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • LeBaron, H.M. and McFarland, J. 1990. Herbicide resistance in weeds and crops. In Managing Resistance: From Fundamental Research to Practical Strategies, M.B. Green, H.M. LeBaron and W.K. Moberg (eds). Moberg American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., 336–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • McEwen, S.L. and Stevenson, G.R. 1979. Use and Significance of Pesticides in the Environment. Wiley and Sons, New York, Chichester, Brisbane, Toronto.

    Google Scholar 

  • McEwen, L.C., Stafford, C.J. and Henslev, G.L. 1984. Organochlorine residues in eggs of black crowned night herons. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 3, 367–376.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mellanby, K. 1967. Pesticides and Pollution. New Naturalist Series No. 50. Collins, London, 221 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, N.W. 1966. Pesticides in the Environment and Their Effects on Wildlife. Blackwell, Oxford, 311 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moriarty, F. 1983. Ecotoxicology: The Studies of Pollutants in Ecosystems. Academic Press, London and New York, 233 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muirhead-Thomson, R.C. 1971. Pesticides and Freshwater Fauna. Academic Press, London and New York, 248 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nash, R.G. 1983. Comparative volatilization and dissipation rates of several pesticides from soil. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 31, 210–217.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • National Research Council 1991. Toward Sustainability: A Plan for Collaborative Research on Agriculture and Natural Resource Management. National Academy Press, Washington D.C., 147 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neely, W.B. 1980. Chemicals in the Environment: Distribution, Transport, Fate and Analysis. Dekker, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norton, G. A. and Holling, C.S. 1979. Proceedings of an International Conference on Pest Management, October 25–29, 1976. Pergamon Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parr, J.F. 1974. Effects of pesticides on microorganisms in soil and water. In Pesticides in Soil and Water, W.D. Guenzi (ed). Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI, 315 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pimentel, D. 1988. Herbivore population feeding pressure on plant host: feedback evolution and host conservation. Oikos, 53, 185–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pimentel, D. (ed) 1991. C.R.C. Handbook of Pest Management in Agriculture (2nd ed., 3 volumes). C.R.C. Press, Boca Raton, Ann Arbor, Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poirier, D.G. and Surgeoner, G.A. 1988. Evaluation of a field bioassay technique to predict the impact of aerial applications of forestry insecticides on stream invertebrates. Canadian Entomologist, 120(7), 627–637.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Riseborough, R.W. 1986. Pesticides and bird populations. In Current Ornithology, R.F. Johnston (ed). Plenum Press, London and New York, 397–427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, A.A. and Kraybill, H.F. 1966. Organic Pesticides in the Environment. Advances in Chemistry. Series 60. American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., 309 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudd, R.L. 1964. Pesticides and the Living Landscape. Faber and Faber, London, 320 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachs, C., Blair, D. and Richter, C. 1987. Consumer pesticide concerns. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 21, 96–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santillo, D.J., Leslie, D.M. and Brown, P.W. 1989. Responses of small mammals and habitat to glyphosate application on clearcuts. Journal of Wildlife Management, 53(1), 164–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, R.F. and Reynolds, H.T. 1965. Principles, definitions and scope of integrated pest control. Proceedings of F.A.O. Symposium on Integrated Pest Control 1, 11–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stern, V.M., Smith, R.F., van der Bosch, R. and Hagen, K.S. 1959. The integrated control concept. Hilgardia 29, 81–101.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stickel, L.R. 1968. Organochlorine Pesticides in the Environment. Report of U.S.D.I. Bureau of Sports Fisheries and Wildlife, 1, 119 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stromborg, K.L. 1982. Modern Pesticide and Bobwhite Populations. Proceedings 2nd National Bobwhite Quail Symposium, F. Schitoskey, E.C. Schitoskey, and L.G. Talent (eds). Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 69–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, A.R. and Edwards, C.A. 1974. Effects of pesticides on non-target invertebrates in freshwater and soil. In Pesticides in Soil and Water, W.D. Guenzi (ed), 13, 341–386. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Truhart, R. 1975. Ecotoxicology—A new branch of toxicology. In Ecological Toxicology Research, A.D. McIntrye and C.F. Mills (eds). Proceedings of NATO Science Communications Conference, Quebec. Plenum Press, New York, 323 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vogt, G. 1987. Monitoring of environmental pollutants such as pesticides in prawn aquaculture by histological diagnosis. Aquaculture, 67(1–2), 157–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warren, C.E. and Davis, G.E. 1971. Laboratory stream research: objectives, possibilities and constraints. American Review of Ecological Systems, 2, 111–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wauchope, R.D. 1978. The Pesticide Content of Water Draining from Agricultural Fields—A Review. Journal of Environmental Quality, 7, 459–472.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • White, D.H., Mitchell, C.A., Kennedy, H.D., Krynitsky, A.J. and Ribick, M.A. 1983a. Elevated DDT and toxaphene residues in fishes and birds reflect local contamination in the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Southwestern Naturalist, 28(3), 325–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, D.H., Mitchell, C.A. and Prouty, R.M. 1983b. Nesting biology of laughing gulls and relation to agricultural chemicals. Wilson Bulletin, 95(4), 540–551.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, D.H. and Krynitsky, A.J. 1986. Wildlife in Some Areas of New Mexico and Texas Accumulate Elevated DDE Residues, 1983. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 15, 149–157.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • White, D.H., Fleming, W.J. and Eusor, K.L. 1988. Pesticide contamination and hatching success of waterbirds in Mississippi. Journal of Wildlife Management, 52(4), 724–729.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willis, G.H., McDowell, L.L., Harper, L.A., Southwick, L.M. and Smith, S. 1983. Journal of Environmental Quality, 12(1), 80–85.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

    Clive A. Edwards

Authors
  1. Clive A. Edwards
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

David Pimentel Hugh Lehman

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1993 Routledge, Chapman & Hall, Inc.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Edwards, C.A. (1993). The Impact of Pesticides on the Environment. In: Pimentel, D., Lehman, H. (eds) The Pesticide Question. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-585-36973-0_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-585-36973-0_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-412-03581-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-585-36973-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation