Pesticide side effects

Pesticide use can have side effects on both human health and the environment, both with associated economic costs. The book, the Silent Spring by Rachel Carson brought the health and ecological effects of pesticide use to the world's attention in 1962.

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Health effects

Because of their toxic nature the use of pesticides always involves some risk. The people at most risk for the harmful effect of pesticides are the farmer and their family, as they come into direct contact with the chemicals when mixing, applying and subsequently attending to crops.

Consumers may also be at risk if they eat crops that have been treated with pesticides and still contain pesticide residue.