Unit 1. Basic knowledge on pesticides

Pesticides are chemicals, specifically manufactured to be toxic, to target organisms and pests, and are deliberately introduced in the environment in large amounts. Yet without pesticides, the modern development of agriculture would be impossible, and public health could, in some cases, be compromised. This presentation includes an overview of the ways how pesticides work: by blocking the cellular processes of the target organisms;  by destroying or altering the pest’s metabolism; by disrupting enzyme processes or denature proteins; by simulating or interfering with hormones; by disrupting photosynthesis in weed plants. Presented are the benefits of pesticides, and the hazards they pose to environmental media as soil, water and air; and the adverse effects they could possible cause to human health. In the presentation are mentioned also the safe alternatives to pesticides.