Features of Pesticides
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Chemical Diversity: Pesticides encompass various chemical
families such as organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates,
pyrethroids, bipyridyl herbicides, triazine herbicides, and
chloroacetanilide herbicides.
·
Usage and Production: Approximately 2 million tons
are used globally each year, with China, the United States, and
Argentina being major producers.
·
Application Areas: They are used in agriculture for pest
control, as well as in industrial, commercial, household, and water
treatment contexts.
·
Human Exposure: Both occupational (farmers, applicators)
and indirect exposure (through water, air, dust, food) are common.
Long-term exposure can pose health risks, including severe poisoning and
death.
·
Environmental Impact: Pesticide residues contaminate surface
waters worldwide, raising concerns about ecological and human health
effects.
·
Mechanism of Toxicity: Many pesticides exert toxicity
by inducing oxidative stress (increase in ROS and RNS), leading to
cellular damage across multiple organ systems.
- Toxicity Variability: The extent and pathways of toxicity can vary depending on the pesticide class and exposure level, but oxidative stress is a common underlying mechanism.