Pesticides

Abstract

INTERESTin pesticides and in spray residue has continued at a high level for several years. One manifestation of this is the formation in 1949 of the Pesticide Subdivision within the Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry of the American Chemical Society. Another evidence was the formation of the Association of Economic Poisons Control Officials during the years 1946-1947. This includes regulatory workers and experiment station men from both state and federal governments.Much emphasis has been placed on the need for safety during application of pesticides, and safety of foods which may in some cases unavoidably retain minute residues of pesticides. The use of these chemicals to control pests is generally conceded to be imperative. Some of the newer organic pesticides are highly toxic to man and animals, although they do not have a higher toxicity than some of the older pesticides such as arsenic, and particularly nicotine, which is said by Lehman (81) to be one of the most highly toxic materials known. A clear distinction should be made between hazards during use, and food hazards.