After countless studies, pesticides have been linked to cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, ADHD, and even birth defects. Pesticides also have the potential to harm the nervous system, the reproductive system, and the endocrine system.

Farmers use pesticides to: protect crops from insect pests, weeds and fungal diseases while they are growing. prevent rats, mice, flies and other insects from contaminating foods whilst they are being stored. safeguard human health, by stopping food crops being contaminated by fungi.

Dangerous chemicals that are commonly used on farms include herbicides, pesticides, and anhydrous ammonia.

• Herbicides. Herbicides, commonly known as weed killers, are chemical substances used to control and kill unwanted plants.
• Pesticides.
• Anhydrous Ammonia.

Common agricultural chemicals (agrichemicals) include fuels, solvents, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilisers and veterinary chemicals.

Herbicides (To kill weeds) Insecticides: (To kill bugs) Fungicides: (To get rid of disease) Soil fumigants, desiccants, harvest aids, and plant growth regulators.

Agricultural chemicals are defined as chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and fertilizers used in agriculture to control pests and disease or control and promote growth.

FUNGICIDES

The most common of these are herbicides which account for approximately 80% of all pesticide use. Most pesticides are intended to serve as plant protection products (also known as crop protection products), which in general, protect plants from weeds, fungi, or insects.

Impact on environment Pesticides can contaminate soil, water, turf, and other vegetation. In addition to killing insects or weeds, pesticides can be toxic to a host of other organisms including birds, fish, beneficial insects, and non-target plants.

The most widely known organochlorine pesticide is dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, i.e., the insecticide DDT, the uncontrolled use of which raised many environmental and human health issues (2, 48, 49). Dieldrin, endosulfan, heptachlor, dicofol, and methoxychlor are some other organochlorines used as pesticides.

One example of the impact of pesticides on the environment was the Kerala food poisoning, which killed over 100 people, after they consumed wheat flour that was contaminated with toxic pesticides.

Usually, make water unfit for humans and animals consumption. Diffusion of Agrochemicals in larger water bodies promotes the growth of algae which is again hazardous. Excess chemicals may lead to Eutrophication. Lead12 to water pollution thereby affecting aquatic habitats.

Agrochemicals seep into the surrounding land and water bodies, entering the food chain (bioaccumulation). Regarding their impact on crops, excessive use of such chemicals generates a significant amount of residues. These residues cause nutrient imbalance and quality-reduction of agricultural produce.

Pesticides include a large group of chemical agents that attempt to eliminate destructive biological forces in agriculture. While these chemicals supposedly only target specific species, repeated use inevitably kills microbial life that is beneficial to the soil system.

The companies holding the largest market share in the Pesticide Manufacturing in the US industry include Bayer AG, Corteva Inc. and Syngenta AG.