Pesticide use in the United States

Pesticide use in the United States is predominately by the agricultural sector.Kellogg RL, Nehring R, Grube A, Goss DW, and Plotkin S (February 2000), [http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Technical/land/pubs/eip_pap.html Environmental indicators of pesticide leaching and runoff from farm fields] . United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Retrieved on 2007-10-03.] and about a quarter of pesticides used are used in houses, yards, parks, golf courses, and swimming pools.Miller GT (2004), "Sustaining the Earth", 6th edition. Thompson Learning, Inc. Pacific Grove, California. Chapter 9, Pages 211-216.]

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) was first passed in 1947, giving the United States Department of Agriculture responsibility for regulating pesticides. Willson, Harold R (February 23, 1996), [http://ipmworld.umn.edu/chapters/willson.htm Pesticide Regulations] . University of Minnesota. Retrieved on 2007-10-15.] In 1972, FIFRA underwent a major revision and transferred responsibility of pesticide regulation to the Environmental Protection Agency and shifted emphasis to protection of the environment and public health.

The National Academy of Sciences estimates that between 4,000 and 20,000 cases of cancer are caused per year by pesticide residues in food in allowable amounts.

Pesticide residue in food

The Pesticide Data Program, [http://www.ams.usda.gov/science/pdp/] a program started by the United States Department of Agriculture is the largest tester of pesticide residues on food sold in the United States. It began in 1991, and has since tested over 60 different types of food for over 400 different types of pesticides - with samples collected close to the point of consumption. Their most recent summary results are from the year 2005:cite paper
author = Pesticide Data Program
title = Annual Summary Calendar Year 2005
version =
publisher = USDA
date = February 2006
url = http://www.ams.usda.gov/science/pdp/Summary2005.pdf
format = pdf
accessdate =2007-09-15 ]

For example, on page 30 is comprehensive data on pesticides on fruits. Some example data:

They were also able to test for multiple pesticides within a single sample and found that::"These data indicate that 29.5 percent of all samples tested contained no detectable pesticides [parent":"compound and metabolite(s) combined] , 30 percent contained 1 pesticide, and slightly over 40 percent":"contained more than 1 pesticide." - page 34.

The Environmental Working Group used the results of nearly 43,000 tests for pesticides on produce collected by the USDA and the U.S. FDA between 2000 and 2004, to produce a ranking of 43 commonly eaten fruits & vegetables. [FoodNews (2006), [http://www.foodnews.org/fulldataset.php Test Results: Complete Data Set] . Environmental Working Group, ewg.org. Retrieved on September 15, 2007.]

DDT

The problems with the use of DDT as a pesticide was highlighted by American author Rachael Carson in her book "Silent Spring" and it was instrumental in having DDT banned.

ee also

*National Pesticide Information Center
*Environmental issues in the United States
*Environment of the United States

References

External links

* [http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/ United States Environmental Protection Agency] - Pesticides page
* [http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hsb/pesticides/links.htm Centers for Disease Control] - Compiled information on health effects of pesticides.
* [http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateC&navID=PesticideDataProgram&rightNav1=PesticideDataProgram&topNav=&leftNav=ScienceandLaboratories&page=PesticideDataProgram&resultType=&acct=pestcddataprg United States Department of Agriculture - Pesticide Data Program]
* [http://www.ams.usda.gov/science/pdp/Download.htm Pesticide Residues in Food] - Data and Summary reports from the USDA on pesticide residues in food sold in the United States.
* [http://www.gao.gov/new.items/rc00017.pdf Pesticides: Use, Effects, and Alternatives to Pesticides in Schools] (pdf) from the United States General Accounting Office
* [http://www.croplifeamerica.org Croplifeamerica.org,] - US trade association representing the crop protection and pest control industry
* [http://ca.water.usgs.gov/pnsp/pesticide_use_maps_1997/ 1997US Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program pesticide use map] - shows estimates of pesticide type and intensity of pesticide use by business of mass food production.
* [http://www.cdms.net/manuf/manuf.asp All Supporting Agro-Chemical Manufacturers] a list of EPA pesticide labels for pesticides by trade name.