Final answer:
Pesticides, including substances like herbicides and insecticides, must only be used by trained professionals or licensed applicators to prevent health hazards. Improper use can cause environmental harm and human health issues. Organic agriculture practices aim to reduce these risks by avoiding most synthetic pesticides.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pesticides are harmful substances that must only be handled by trained professionals or licensed pesticide applicators, and only when food is carefully protected. Pesticides include a variety of substances such as herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and more, which are used to control pests that cause damage to crops or pose risks to human health. However, the use of pesticides can be associated with acute and chronic health effects if not managed properly, especially in developing countries with less stringent regulatory systems.
Excessive and improper use of pesticides can lead to resistance, harm to non-target species, including beneficial insects like bees, and significant human health issues. Proper handling and application by trained individuals are essential to minimize these risks. Moreover, the commercial availability of pesticides demands that retail workers, emergency responders, and other individuals who may come into contact with these chemicals also understand potential hazards and exercise caution.
In an effort to mitigate these risks, organic agriculture practices avoid most synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, with the goal of reducing harm to both human health and the broader ecosystem. Thus, ensuring the safe use and handling of pesticides is a complex issue that has broad implications for health, safety, and environmental stewardship.