Rachel Carson’s book “ Silent Spring”, published in 1962, first drew attention to the hazard of the widespread extensive use of pesticides for the environment (namely birds) and also for human health. Some of them can persist in soils and aquatic sediments, bioconcentrate in the tissues of invertebrates and vertebrates, move up trophic chains, and affect top predators. However, many first generation pesticides have been found to be harmful to the environment. Moreover, they insure increased food production, a safe and secure food supply, and other secondary benefits. Indeed, they help control agricultural pests (including diseases and weeds) and plant disease vectors, human and livestock disease vectors and nuisance organisms, and organisms that harm other human activities and structures (gardens, recreational areas, etc.).
The main effects of pesticides represent a great benefit for human health. This fight requires the massive use of pesticides, which are hazardous chemicals designed to repel or kill rodents, fungi, insects, and “weeds” that undermine intensive farming. In industrialized countries, the Green Revolution of the 1960s significantly increased agricultural productivity by increasing the cultivated surfaces, mechanization, planting of hybrid crops with higher yields, and pest control.
Since the discovery of DDT in 1939, numerous pesticides (organochlorides, organophosphates, carbamates) have been developed and used extensively worldwide with few guidelines or restrictions.