Symptoms can be similar to acute poisoning, but because symptoms may not appear until long after exposure, it is more difficult to isolate the cause. Some pesticides have been linked to cancer, birth defects, genetic mutations and neurologic conditions. The environmental dangers posed by a pesticide depend on the amount of time it takes the pesticide to break down, the substances it breaks down into, its ability to be stored in body tissues, its toxicity to different organisms and the amount of exposure. The impact of pesticides is present upon our entire planet. A thin residue of pesticides is found in living tissues, soil, air and water supplies around the world.
Pesticides can spread through the environment from use and disposal.
Excessive amounts of pesticides applied to gardens and lawns can run off and contaminate streams, rivers and groundwater. When thrown away with household trash or poured down drains, pesticides may be released into the air, soil, surface water or groundwater. Pesticides can also damage ecosystems by killing not only the target pest but also other organisms, including beneficial predators. Damage to an organism caused by pesticides may not be immediately apparent to us, but may result in the organism's inability to reproduce or to carry out other functions. Banned and restricted pesticides Certain pesticides have been found to cause long-term environmental damage or to linger in food and water supplies.