Catanduanes State University

PANGANIBAN CAMPUS
Panganiban, Catanduanes

TOPIC: TOXICOLOGY (Pesticides and the Environment, Handling of Pesticides, Plant

Protection Appliances and Aircraft Application of Insecticides.
REPORTERS: Khrisna Sarah O. Dominguez
Jonathan M. Morales
Stephanie Tusi
Joven Cabrera
BSA-3B
SUBJECT: Physiology and Toxicology
INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Gregorio Angeles Jr.

PESTICIDES AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The atmosphere is polluted by smokes, acid and sulphur dioxide vapours from vapours
from factories, carbon monoxide from the exhaust gases emitted by the motor vehicles and by
the pesticides. Water pollution is brought about by effluents from factories (the organic matter
in such contaminated water is broken down by bacteria which consume oxygen and the oxygen
demand is usually tested by “biochemical oxygen demand” or B.O.D. test) some of which may
have toxic substances like metallic zinc and copper, by crude oil mostly in seas and beaches,
and by pesticides. Pollution of soil is by all agents that pollute water.

1. PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN SOIL

Pesticides reach soil as a result of direct application to it by drifting during
dusting and spraying to foliage or washed down by rains after application.
From soil the persistent chemicals enter to soil invertebrates or water, or are
broken down by microorganisms and physical factors.

The persistence of chemical in soil is influenced by various factors;

i. the granular formulations persist longer than emulsions which again persist
longer than wettable powders;
ii. heavy clayey soil retain pesticides longer than light sandy ones and both
organochlorines and organophosphates persists longer in acid than In alkaline
soils;
iii. higher the organic matter and clay mineral content in a soil longer is the
persistence of a chemical;
iv. higher the temperature and soil moisture less is the persistence;
v. the break down of insecticides is more in soils having microorganisms than in
sterile soils.
2. PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN WATER
Due to absorption of the chemicals by bottom sand mud, plankton, aquatic
plants and invertebrates and of the break down due to hydrolysis, toxic concentrations
in water seldom build up. The two main hazards of residues in water are the deposition
of chemicals in the bodies of fishes, which are effective filters of suspended particulate
matter and in the bodies of aquatic organisms that form the food for the fish and as a
result of both of these more chemical gets deposited in the fishes than is found free in
water.

3. PESTICIDES IN THE BIOTA

a. In Plants
b. In Bird
c. In Food
 d. In Man

HANDLING OF PESTICIDES
With the increased use of pesticides in the control of pests, greater care in handling and using these
chemical compounds has become necessary since most of them are toxic to human beings and domestic
animals. In largescale use of pesticides hazards may arise due to accidental or intentional poisoning,
operational hazards during application, post-application hazards due to residues, etc.

Based on the mammalian toxicity, pesticides are generally classified as:

i. non-hazardous pesticides (pyrethrum products, sulphur, etc.);

ii. moderately hazardous pesticides (DDT, malathion, fenitrothion, carbaryl, etc.), and
iii. dangerous pesticides (aldicardb, parathion,zinc phosphide, etc.)

1. GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
It has 18 precautions that should be followed in handling pesticides.
2. FIRST AID PRECAUTIONS
In case of pesticide poisoning call a physician immediately. Awaiting the
physician’s arrival, apply first aid.
 Swallowed poisons – remove poison from the patient’s stomach
immediately by inducing vomiting.
 Inhaled poison – carry the patient to fresh air immediately.
 Skin contamination – drench the skin with water.
 Eye contamination – wash the eyes gently with a stream of
running water immediately.
 Prevention of collapse – cover the patient with a light blanket.
3. ANTIDOTES
A. General Antidotes
B. Specific Antidote for some Pesticides

PLANT PROTECTION APPLIANCES

The desired effects of a pesticide can be obtained only if it is applied in an appropriate time
and in proper method. The method of application will depend upon the properties of the
pesticide, the nature of the pest or the pest to be controlled and the site to which the
pesticide is to be applied.

A. DUSTING AND DUSTERS

1. General principles
2. Dusters
a. Manually Operated Dusters
 Rotary dusters
 Knapsack duster
b. Power operated dusters
B. SPARYING AND SPRAYERS
1. General Principles
2. Parts of a typical sprayer
a. Tank
b. Agitator
c. Filters
d. Pump
e. Power source
f. Pressure gauge
 g. Valves
h. Hose
i. Spray Lances
j. Spray cut 0ff- devices
k. Booms
l. Nozzles
3. Types of Sprayer
a. ManuallyOperated Hydraulic Sprayer
1. Hand syringe or Ganden Syringe
2. Bucket sprayer or Stirrup-pump
3. Knapsack Sprayer
4. Rocker sprayer
5. Foot Sprayer or Pedal-pump
b. Manually Operated Pneumatic Sprayer
1. Hand sprayer
2. Knapsack sprayer
Manually Operated Mist Blower
Power Operated Hydraulic Sprayers
Low Volume Sprayers
ULV Applicators

AIRCRAFT APPLICATION OF INSECTICIDE

The first practical use of an aircraft in insect control work was carried out in Ohio, USA, in 1921
when lead arsenate was dusted to control the sphinx (Ceratoma catalapae) . In India This method has
been used in pest control since 1951.

Advantages of Aircraft Application Of Insecticides

1. Speedily covered (200-800 hectares) in the application of spray or dust.

2. Accessibility