Infographic: Pesticide use on arable land between 2005 – 2009

pesticide planet

In a world of humanmade chemicals, pesticides are second only to fertilizer in the amount applied and the extent of use. They are effective tools for protecting crops, fighting disease-causing insects and dealing with nuisance animals such as rodents, fleas and ticks. But herbicides, insecticides and their kin can harm the environment and are dangerous to workers if improperly used.

In 2007, the last year for which the Environmental Protection Agency produced global figures on pesticide use, the United States accounted for 20 percent of the worldwide application that topped 2.4 billion kilograms.

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Click image for larger version. Source Science/AAAS
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Are pesticide residues on food something to worry about?

In 1962, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring drew attention to pesticides and their possible dangers to humans, birds, mammals and the ...
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