Pesticide Safety & Toxicity Dave Moorhead Warnell School of Forest Resources University of Georgia
Pesticide Safety & Toxicity Dave Moorhead Warnell School of Forest Resources University of Georgia
Pesticides: Chemicals to control unwanted forms of life Pests Insecticides ·Herbicides Nurseries Nurseries Seed Orchards Plantations Plantations ·Fungicides ·Repellents Nurseries Worker use Plantations Animal use
Pesticides: Chemicals to control unwanted forms of life - Pests • Insecticides Nurseries Seed Orchards Plantations • Fungicides Nurseries Plantations • Herbicides Nurseries Plantations • Repellents Worker use Animal use
Relative Toxicity Organisms can't differentiate between "natural"and “synthetic”chemicals “Synthetic"”does not mean toxic or poisonous "Natural"does not mean safe or even low risk Chemicals must be evaluated in their biological context of behavior in organisms 。 Mode of action,not source,is the concern Pesticides should be treated with care and proper respect but so should household cleaners,gasoline and kerosene,bleaches, paints and all other chemicals Mistretta USFS R-8
Relative Toxicity • Organisms can’t differentiate between “natural” and “synthetic” chemicals • “Synthetic” does not mean toxic or poisonous • “Natural” does not mean safe or even low risk • Chemicals must be evaluated in their biological context of behavior in organisms • Mode of action, not source, is the concern • Pesticides should be treated with care and proper respect – but so should household cleaners, gasoline and kerosene, bleaches, paints and all other chemicals Mistretta USFS R-8
GARDEN SUPPLIES E GA DEN RAYS WITH VITAMIN I WANT A SPRAY THAT KILLS EVERYTHING BUT ISN'T DANGEROUS
“I WANT A SPRAY THAT KILLS EVERYTHING BUT ISN’T DANGEROUS
Relative Toxicity: Are all substances toxic? YES! >All are toxic to some quantifiable degree >Sugar has an LDs0 of 30,000 mg/kg Ethanol has an LD50 of only 13,700 mg/kg >Even water has a recognized LDs0 of slightly greater than 80,000 mg/kg
Relative Toxicity: Are all substances toxic? YES! ➢ All are toxic to some quantifiable degree ➢ Sugar has an LD50 of 30,000 mg/kg ➢ Ethanol has an LD50 of only 13,700 mg/kg ➢ Even water has a recognized LD50 of slightly greater than 80,000 mg/kg