Despite their use being regulated at both the Italian and European levels, the common perception regarding pesticides is that of a political landscape struggling to take a firm stance between scientific studies and the economic interests surrounding this market. Farmers also find themselves in a difficult position: on one hand, there is a lack of viable, bio-sustainable alternatives; on the other, they must safeguard their own profits. At the end of this chain are the consumers, who—often poorly or incorrectly informed—are drawn in by media campaigns that are sometimes too alarmist or, conversely, overly reassuring. Let’s investigate what lies hidden in the world of pesticides and understand their effects on both humans and the environment.
What are pesticides?
In its broadest sense, the term “pesticide” includes both synthetic and natural substances designed to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate any harmful organism and the damage it causes. This includes agents against vectors of human and animal diseases, as well as defoliants, desiccants, and plant growth regulators. The use of these substances is aimed at protecting the production, processing, storage, transport, and marketing of food, timber, derivatives, and livestock feed. Consequently, agriculture, animal husbandry, and the processing, textile, and wood industries are the primary users.
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It is easy to see, then, how widespread their use is—and, as a result, how often each of us may come into contact, directly or indirectly, with their residues.
Pesticides: Pros and Cons
The development and use of pesticides over time has brought immediately perceptible benefits, such as the quantitative and qualitative improvement of agricultural and livestock production, contributing to the development of entire geographical areas. Lest we forget, the famous DDT allowed for the eradication of malaria in many territories, including Sardinia, while other pesticides have been responsible for containing sleeping sickness and yellow fever. However, as with almost every new breakthrough, pesticides have been used indiscriminately. Furthermore, research has often been oriented solely toward efficacy and driven by immediate profit, without considering the long-term negative effects on humans, animals, and the environment.
Who is most exposed to the effects of pesticides?
Acute exposure applies to farmers and workers involved in the production, transport, and storage of pesticides, as well as residents of areas where surrounding use is massive. The rest of the population undergoes chronic exposure because, in addition to coming into contact through private household use, they are targeted by residues present in food, water, household goods, wooden furniture, and the surrounding natural environment. No one is immune to this danger—neither humans nor the environment.
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What are the harms of pesticides to humans?
Pesticides can have harmful effects even at doses well below legal limits, especially after prolonged exposure. The wide variety of chemical classes that make up pesticides can affect our organs and tissues, causing damage to the central nervous system, endocrine system, and reproductive systems, as well as various childhood health issues. Their relationship with human health has been extensively studied, revealing:
- Traces found even in umbilical cords and breast milk.
- Direct causality, particularly with hematological cancers and neuropsychic damage.
- Deaths by poisoning. According to the WHO, there are over 26 million cases of poisoning annually, resulting in 258,000 deaths worldwide. In the US, 45% of all pesticide poisonings occur in children.
- Transgenerational issues. Almost all pesticides act as endocrine disruptors, affecting both the individual and their offspring.
- The “Silent Pandemic.” This manifests as neuropsychic and behavioral damage in childhood, ranging from attention deficit and autism to a reduction in IQ.
- Blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, as well as an increased risk of prostate cancer, especially in those with direct or occupational exposure.
- Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as brain and reproductive system tumors, specifically in farmers and primary sector workers.
- Melanomas in the general population; while usually associated with solar radiation, the risk appears to be amplified by contact with pesticides.
What are the environmental effects and damages of pesticides?
A report by Legambiente shows that in Italy, more than one-third of fruit and vegetable samples are contaminated with pesticide residues. One-third of these positive samples contain more than one type of pesticide. This means that while individual chemicals may be within legal limits, their cumulative effect is not, and the long-term consequences of their combination are unpredictable. Water sources are also heavily contaminated. One-third of surface water samples contain pesticide residues, which are also present in one-fifth of groundwater samples. The persistence of pesticides in soil and water is dangerous, polluting fish and amphibian ecosystems. Due to their biochemical characteristics, pesticides are toxic to all living organisms and can bio-accumulate in animal tissues. The resistance generated by these chemicals forces an increase in dosages and a constant search for new molecules. Broad-spectrum toxicity causes damage and mass die-offs of pollinating insects like bees and bumblebees. Italy, unfortunately, is the leading European country for chemical use in agriculture, with usage rates double those of France and Germany. This is why it is necessary to create awareness and develop new natural solutions.
What solutions are available to reduce pesticides?
Today, there is an answer. At Nanomnia, we have developed a technology that acts simultaneously on two fronts:
- Improving the efficiency of pesticides currently on the market to lower the required dose.
- Making pesticides selective, ensuring they are toxic only to the target organism and not to beneficial species like pollinating insects.
Our technology is also designed to make natural pesticides more effective, allowing them to compete with synthetic chemicals for the first time. A healthier and more natural future is possible.