Question

Give the hazardous effects of agrochemicals.

Answer 1

The use of certain agrochemicals has been associated with some major environmental and ecological damages. Such as:

1. Pesticides and weedicides are toxic, not only to target organisms but also to many other non-target organisms, which are important components of the soil ecosystem.
2. Continuous use of inorganic fertilizers changes the chemical nature of the soil and reduces its fertility.
3. In addition, the runoff of agrochemical fertilizers into streams, lakes and ponds can cause increased productivity of those aquatic ecosystems, causing eutrophication and algal blooms in the water bodies.
4. The pesticide residues can remain in the soil for a long and can enter the food chain and undergo biomagnification.
5. Pesticides also enter the aquatic food chain. They accumulate in the fatty tissues of fish as well as in birds which feed on them. This process is called bioaccumulation.
6. People handling pesticides in industries also suffer from various disorders like respiratory diseases, nervous disorders, skin diseases, blindness, etc.