Pesticide Facts Pesticide Facts Pesticides are the only man-made toxic chemicals deliberately spread over large areas. They are poisonous almost by definition. Most pesticides are a product of the post World War II boom, based on research into chemical warfare. Organophosphates and carbamate insecticides, large classes within which hundreds of pesticides are registered, were based on Nazi research for nerve gas. At a large dose, they'll kill people.
Pesticides pose particular problems for human health and the environment.
Chemicals used in pesticides are non-specific, and, depending on the dose and accuracy of delivery, will kill unintended along with targeted species. They can be composed of biological substances or synthetic toxic chemicals. This fact sheet deals specifically with toxic, synthetic pesticides. Pesticides must receive registration from the federal government, under the Pest Control Products Act , in order to be used in Canada. Recently, the federal registration process was moved from Agriculture Canada to Health Canada.