Pesticide use in agriculture [Regulatory decision-making process, benefit-cost analyses]

• Published in: Environmental health perspectives 1978-12, Vol.27, p.103-112
• Main Authors: Ridgway, R. L., Tinney, J. C., MacGregor, J. T., Starler, N. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture - methods; Chemical Industry; Corn; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Crop production; Crops; Food crops; Fruits; Fungicides; Herbicides; Higher Plants as Monitors of Environmental Mutagens, Marineland, Florida. January 16-18, 1978; Mutagens; Organic farming; Pest Control; Pesticides; Pesticides - pharmacology; Public Policy; Risk; United States; Vegetable crops
• ISSN: 0091-6765; 1552-9924
• DOI: 10.1289/ehp.7827103

During the last three decades, the use of modern organic synthetic pesticides has increased about 40-fold. Total U. S. production, for domestic and export use, in 1976 was about 1.4 million pounds. Crops receiving the most intensive application of various pesticides were cotton for insecticides, corn for herbicides, and fruits and vegetables for fungicides. Examination of use trends of pesticides indicates that the volume in pounds of herbicides used on crops is increasing, whereas the quantities of insecticides and fungicides remain stable. New chemical classes of compounds such as the synthetic pyrethroid insecticides are being introduced, but are not yet significant in terms of their share of the market. The increased usage of pesticides, together with knowledge of some of their adverse effects, has alerted the public to the need for regulation. To assist in the regulatory decision-making process, emphasis is being placed on benefit-cost analyses. Additional and improved biological inputs and methodologies are needed to provide accurate analyses.