Final answer:
The main purpose of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is to minimize risks to human health by limiting the use of synthetic chemical pesticides, relying on non-chemical methods where possible, and using pesticides as a 'last resort' with minimal environmental impact.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the main purposes of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is to minimize risks to human health. IPM is an approach that combines farmer-driven, ecologically-based pest control practices with the aim of reducing reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides. It involves:
- Managing pests to keep them below economically damaging levels rather than seeking to eradicate them.
- Relying on non-chemical measures to keep pest populations low whenever possible.
- Selecting and applying pesticides, only when necessary, in a way that minimizes their adverse effects on beneficial organisms, humans, and the environment.
The goal of IPM is not necessarily the elimination of pesticide use, but the reduction of their use and the selection of less disruptive methods as a primary strategy. Pesticides are used as a "last resort" and chosen for their minimal impact and targeted application. This ultimately benefits human health by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals.