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The Dangers of Pesticides

DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane) isthe  bird.
one pesticide that has been unquestionably
labeled hazardous to our health. It has beenThe same bird also eats a fish from a nearby
linked to cancer and is actually banned fromcreek; one that contains runoff from the
all  use  in  America  now.farmer's crops, and unfortunately DDT. Now
all the DDT from the fish is also stored
DDT was widely used in the 1960's. It'swithin the bird. The bird is caught and eaten
all-time peak came in 1963 when 61 millionby a female human. All the DDT from the
pounds of DDT were sprayed across the U.S.plant, the rodent, bird and fish is stored in
The first major opposition to the spraying ofher fatty tissue. The woman has a baby and
DDT came with Rachel Carson's well-knownone of the mother's first gifts to it is a
book, "Silent Spring" in 1962. By 1968, manyportion of her DDT. Throughout the son or
states had decided to ban the use of thedaughter's life, even more DDT will
pesticide. By 1972, the government had bannedaccumulate as he or she continues to ingest
all  use  of  it  in  the  U.S.contaminated foods. Since it is a carcinogen,
the individual may have a greater chance of
Today, the U.S. does not produce or supplydeveloping  cancer.
DDT. Other regions of the world like Africa,
Central and South America still spray DDT andRemember, DDT is extremely persistent so even
compounds derived from it to help controlthough we don't spray it now, it was sprayed
diseases spread by insects, such as malaria.all over the country for about three decades
Since some of our food is imported fromand  is  definitely  still  around.
countries still using the pesticide, the FDA
monitors imported foods for traces of DDT andDDT is not the only pesticide that causes
other  hazardous  substances.problems. Several others are made from
compounds that are derived from it and are
Just  what's  so  bad  about  DDT?known to be carcinogic as well. Examples of
these are malathion and diazinon. Both are
If a farmer sprays DDT on his crops,highly toxic. Fortunately, they break down
eventually, a rodent eats one of the DDTvery quickly in the environment to form
covered plants. The DDT is then stored in thenontoxic compounds. Carbamates are another
fatty tissues of the rodent. Maybe a birdgroup of pesticides which are presumably
catches and eats the rodent. The DDT comesnot-carcinogenic, but still pose dangers to
with the package and is stored in the fat ofour health.



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