How does the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the agriculture affect our health?
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- Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides by farmers in agriculture to enhance crop yield is detrimental to environment and human health. Fertilizers and pesticides use has led to the problem of air, water and soil pollution. The nitrous oxide (N2O) produced by microbial action on inorganic fertilizers in soil causes depletion of stratospheric ozone layer, which serve as shield against harmful UV-rays emanating from the sun.
- Fertilizers applied to the field are drained by rain water to rivers and lakes causing water pollution. The phenomenon of nutrient enrichment of aquatic bodies is known as eutrophication, which deteriorate the water quality leading to death of fishes. Moreover, the seepage of fertilizers and pesticides also pollutes the ground water.
- Pesticides such as DDT are non-biodegradable and are fat-soluble which enter the food chain and reach the human body where they are deposited in adipose tissue. When oxidation of the fat takes place, the pesticides are released in the system causing harmful effect to human health.
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