Pesticides & Herbicides Used By Farmers

Conventionally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs are treated with pesticides and herbicides to kill and repel pests such as insects, rodents and fungi that affect farmer's crops and profitability. Pesticides and herbicides are highly toxic and can harm the health of humans and pets. Food grown using them contains a trace of their chemicals that can get into your bloodstream, such as the case with Pentachlorophenol or PCP, according to the University of California Davis Environmental Toxicology Department. Be cautious if you use pesticides and herbicides and contact your local poison center if you accidentally swallow or spill these chemicals on your skin.

Pentachlorophenol

PCP is a herbicide used to treat cotton, as a pesticide to prevent fungi from rotting and insects from eating wood. It is toxic for human consumption and can enter the body through skin contact, causing irritation and in severe cases death. PCP is available for purchase only to farmers through registered distributors. It is available in ready-to-use petroleum solutions, blocks, liquid concentrates, flakes, granules or wettable powders.

Chlorophenoxy

Chlorophenoxy is a herbicide that, according to the Partnership for Environmental Education and Rural Health, is toxic and can cause vomiting, confusion, renal failure and irregular heartbeat. Chlorophenoxy is used with some fruits, including pineapple. Buy it directly through herbicide manufacturers such as BASF Canada, and it comes concentrated liquid form.

Dalapon

Dalapon is a selective herbicide that kills grasses and weeds and leaves farmer's crops intact. It is commonly used on potatoes, fruits, sugar cane and flax. Dalapon in toxic to humans and can cause burns if it comes in direct contact with the skin. Dalapon also is called magnesium dalapon or sodium dalapon. It is available as a water soluble powder and can be purchased directly from its manufacturer, BASF Corp. Agricultural Product Group.

Acephate

In a 1999 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a report on pesticides and found that acephate was detectable and found in food sold for human consumption, according to the website True Health. Acephate is used to control aphids and insects that invade vegetables such as potatoes and beets, as well as fruit. According to the University of California Davis Environmental Toxicology Department, exposure to acephate can cause heart block, central nervous system impairment, heartburn, chest tightness, pulmonary edema and death because of respiratory failure. Acephate also is used to treat horticulture plants such as chrysanthemums and roses. It can harm the health of your pets. As with all pesticides, dogs can get cancer, skin irritation and kidney damage if they eat or run around in areas that have been treated by pesticides, according to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Acephate is found in commercial insecticides. It is available as a pressurized spray and in soluble powder and granular formulations. It is available for purchase through agricultural retail companies.

Endolsufan

Endosulfan kills insects that attack plants such as coffee and tea, as well as grains, vegetables and fruits. It is highly toxic for humans when ingested or absorbed through the skin, and can cause liver problems, reduced growth rates and seizures. It comes as an emulsifiable concentrate, ultra-low volume (ULV) liquid, wettable powder and smoke tablets. Edolsufan is a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) and is only available to farmers through manufacturers.