Data from T. J. Cade, et. Once apple growers began controlling pests with DDT, they quickly found their orchards being attacked by scale insects and mites. Link to discussion of the neuromuscular junction. Some of the organophosphates are very toxic. Each year organophosphates poison thousands of humans throughout the world, causing hundreds of deaths.
Medical personnel caring for poisoning victims are also at risk.
They may be seriously poisoned by the excretions of, and even the vapors emanating from, their patients. In each case, the chemical was fed to laboratory rats. Pyrethrins Plant extract 200 Rotenone Plant extract 60 Unlike chlorinated hydrocarbons, organophosphates break down quickly in the environment, and thus residues on crops are less likely to be a problem. They are not stored in animal tissue, so biomagnification has not been a problem either. Development of resistance is just as much a problem as it is with the chlorinated hydrocarbons.