Current Perspective on Pesticides: Their Classification, Behaviour, Potential Use and Toxic Effects

Abstract

The employment of extensive range of chemical to save their crops from disastrous effects of pests is an important aspect worldwide in order to increase the crop yields and minimizing post-harvest losses. It is estimated that approximately 1.8 billion people are engaged in agriculture and majority of them use pesticides to protect food and commercial products they produce. Pesticides are indispensable in agricultural production. The intensive use of toxic and remanent pesticides in agriculture has prompted research into novel performant, yet cost-effective and fast analytical tools to control the pesticide residue levels in the environment and food; because of the raised concern about their potential adverse effects on human health with farm workers being more prone to them. Also, lack of information among the farm workers and unregulated quantities usage leads to further raised their presence to toxic levels among the crops and finally to humans leading to several diseases like cancer, immunological disorders, and reproductive disorders etc. Synthetic organic pesticides (i.e., man-made, carbon-containing chemicals) includes chlorinated hydrocarbons, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, phenoxy herbicides etc. Pesticides are classified on the basis of different classification terms such as chemical classes, functional groups, modes of action and toxicity. This review proposes an overview of recent advances in the use of pesticide and their possible toxic profile.