Pesticide Use: Properties and Environmental Fate

Abstract

 This paper reviews the benefits and risks of pesticides use with brief discussion on their properties and movement in the
environment. The growing demand for food by the ever increasing world population has led to tremendous increase in the use
of pesticide. However, recent developments in pesticide production has helped to reduce the volume of pesticide use due to the
synthesis of more potent active ingredients and the introduction of good agricultural practices. The transportation,
accumulation and degradation of pesticide residues in the environment depend on their properties. The analysis of pesticide
residues on food especially fruits and vegetables which are consumed raw have been a matter of public concern, due to the
health risks. Therefore, there is need to balance the expected benefits of pesticide use and their risks to human health.