The Dangers of Pesticides

November 10th, 2009 | Category: Organic Gardening

Pesticides are chemicals which are sprayed on plants to kill pests (usually bugs), that threaten to eat the plants or cause damage to them. Now, it is true that bugs used to do a significant amount of damage to goods every year, and it is true that this did, in a small part, cut into the profits made by the big-time produce providers. So, as a result, pesticides came into use. But while this eco-destructive practice of spraying deadly chemicals on the world’s food supply might spell bad news for bugs, it may also be spelling bad news for us and for our planet as well.

Pesticides come with many dangers, and most of these are ignored by the majority. A lot of people just do not realise what kind of dangers these harmful concoctions bring to us as humans, and that the dangers they pose to our planet are significant enough to make a huge difference. So, just how are these chemicals dangerous to us and to the earth? Well, here are a few ways.

The Dangers of Pesticides

First, when pesticides are sprayed on plants to kill bugs, they do cover the bugs like they are supposed to… but they also penetrate deeper. The chemicals seep down into the soil, and are absorbed by the roots of the plants. As a result, the chemicals make it to us not only inside of the food itself, but also on the outside. A lot of vegetables still have pesticides on them when they come to the supermarket, so make sure to wash all of your vegetables with soap and water before eating them!

But, unfortunately, the chemicals do not stop by seeping into the soil. They continue to seep downward, and sometimes they go as far as to enter the ground water supply. When this happens, the chemicals end up in our drinking water! And a lot of times, we get all of these chemicals straight from the water without realising it. Unless you filter your water, there is no telling how many pesticides you are getting in your drinking water right now because of excessive pesticide usage!

But it does not stop there… farm workers exposed to pesticides have been coming down with sicknesses and have been reaping negative effects from these chemicals for years! This is not only a great way to destroy our planet, but a good way to destroy ourselves right along with it!

So, whenever possible, try to use natural pest control mixes, and stop using harmful chemicals. Even spraying a small yard can do a lot of damage to the water supply of a neighborhood, so don’t take the risk!