Now, insects, bacteria, fungi, and weeds can develop an immunity to new chemicals almost as quickly as the pesticide industry's chemists can produce them. Now, almost seventy years later, alternative methods are required. The synergistic effect of these chemicals on our bodies and in the environment is as yet undetermined, although many studies are beginning to conclude that these chemicals have adverse effects on human health and well-being, as well as being incredibly destructive to the environment. The following essays are intended to be an introduction to the situation, as seen from both sides of the issue, as well as possible solutions to the pesticide problem. Remnants of these poisons in the ground are still being absorbed by the food plants that we grow today.
Botanicals are a modern divergence from the natural chemicals of the past.
Pyrethrum, a long-standing botanical pesticide, is a first generation compound isolated from crysanthemum flowers. Although pyrethrum and other botanical chemicals are less persistent and don't biomagnify or bioaccumulate, they are often used more frequently and in greater concentrations. Chlorinated hydrocarbons are broad-spectrum agents that kill insects by attacking their nervous system. Organophosphates are broad and narrow spectrum agents that kill insects by deactivating the chemical in their nervous system that transmits nerve impluses. Some of them are also used as fungicides and herbicides.