Nicole Williams
U8526-5963
11/03/14
Investigation 9
When someone says the word pesticide what do they think of? Maybe if they were a
farmer they would say pesticides are the only way of trying to successfully grow their crops. If
they were someone testing for air quality, however, they might say that pesticides are becoming
a growing concern to the quality of the air that everyone breathes. While proving that pesticides
are present in the air is hard to do, (due to “their chemical and physical nature, method of
application, and the atmospheric conditions”) scientists know that the application of pesticides
does in fact cause air pollution. (Majewski, et al.)
Because most pesticides are aimed to spread through the air to other targets, many of the
chemicals present in pesticides remain in the air. Some pesticides such as atrazine, when applied
have a life span of only a few weeks. Others however have a life span of 20+ years (DDT) while
some can even be permanent (lead, mercury, and arsenic) (Majewski, et al.).
(Pictures of pesticides being sprayed into fields)
To be more specific, some pesticides can form smog. “Some pesticides emit volatile
organic compounds, or “VOCs.” In hot weather when VOCs mix with chemicals from cars, trucks
and power plants, ground level ozone or “smog” air pollution is formed” (pesticidereform.org).
Smog has been linked to many lung problems such as asthma. Health issues linked to smog has
been especially prevalent in farmers who work outside most of the day.
(Pictures of Smog in Los Angeles [Left] and China [Right])
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is aiming to promote programs
which regulate pesticide use to combat air pollution. “The DPR’s mission is to protect human
health and the environment by regulating pesticide sales and use and by fostering reduced-risk
pest management” (DPR, 2009). In order to keep pesticide use to a minimum, the “DPR must
track and control volatile organic compound emissions from pesticide products used in
agriculture” (DPR, 2009). This is part of the U.S Clean Air Act that was passed in 1963. These
regulations are becoming stronger and less lenient to pesticide users now that we know that
pesticides can cause real harm to humans through the atmosphere.