Agrochemicals and Human Health: A Review

Abstract

The chemicals used for the management of ecosystem of agriculture ae said to be the agrochemicals. The fertilizers utilized for crop yield; chemical agents designed to change the pH of soil (acidifying agents); chemicals used as the soil conditioners; chemicals used for killing the pests of field crops; chemicals used in the raising of livestock (Examples: antibiotics and hormones) such and other chemicals constitute the agrochemicals. The modern practices for agriculture are distinguished by the use of agrochemicals. The challenges in keeping the crop free of damage have increased due to massive in size. The utilization of agrochemicals has been critically significant for the increase in the agricultural crop yields. However, some attempts on use of agrochemicals exert to cause the damage to environment. This damage to environment detracts significantly from the benefits from the agrochemicals. The increased burden of agrochemicals on the natural environmental system may be due to industrialization of the agricultural sector. In order to gain the protection from the pests, it is a general practice of use of the pesticides in agricultural fields, public health program, and areas of urban greeneries. The pesticides, on one hand availing the protection from pests and on another hand, they are exerting a large number of negative health influence and environmental effect. The side effects of the pesticides are said to be significant environmental health risk factors. The immediate need for a better sustainable and ecological approach has produced many innovative attempts, among them reforms in agriculture and production of the food implementing the practice of sustainable towards the food sovereignty.

Keywords: agrochemical, health, pesticide, environment, food sovereignty, pests.