1. What Are Pesticides?
Pesticides are chemical or biological substances used to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate pests that damage crops, livestock, and stored produce. Responsible use is essential to protect human health, the environment, and non-target organisms.
- Pesticides are regulated under the Insecticides Act, 1968 in India.
- Only CIB&RC (Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee) registered pesticides may be sold and used.
- Always read the label before use; follow recommended dosage and safety precautions.
2. Classification by Target Pest
| Type | Target | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Insecticide | Insects | Chlorpyrifos, Imidacloprid, Malathion |
| Fungicide | Fungi & moulds | Mancozeb, Carbendazim, Copper Oxychloride |
| Herbicide | Weeds | Glyphosate, 2,4-D, Atrazine, Pendimethalin |
| Rodenticide | Rodents | Zinc Phosphide, Bromadiolone |
| Nematicide | Nematodes | Carbofuran, Phorate |
| Acaricide | Mites & ticks | Dicofol, Abamectin, Spiromesifen |
| Biopesticide | Various pests | Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), Neem-based, Trichoderma |
3. Classification by Toxicity (WHO)
| Class | Hazard Level | Label Colour |
|---|---|---|
| Class Ia | Extremely Hazardous | Red (skull & crossbones) |
| Class Ib | Highly Hazardous | Red |
| Class II | Moderately Hazardous | Yellow |
| Class III | Slightly Hazardous | Blue |
| Class U | Unlikely to be Hazardous | Green |
4. Safe Handling & Application
- Always wear PPE: gloves, mask, goggles, and protective clothing during mixing and spraying.
- Mix pesticides in open, well-ventilated areas; never near water sources.
- Spray in the early morning or evening to avoid drift and protect pollinators.
- Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling pesticides.
- Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after use.
- Store pesticides in original containers, locked away from children and food.
5. Pre-Harvest Intervals (PHI)
The Pre-Harvest Interval is the minimum number of days between the last pesticide application and harvest to ensure residues are within safe limits.
| Pesticide | Crop | PHI (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| Chlorpyrifos 20 EC | Rice | 15 |
| Imidacloprid 17.8 SL | Cotton | 28 |
| Mancozeb 75 WP | Tomato | 3 |
| Glyphosate 41 SL | Non-crop areas | N/A |
| Carbendazim 50 WP | Wheat | 7 |
6. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
IPM is a sustainable approach that combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods to manage pests with minimal environmental impact.
- Cultural Control: Crop rotation, resistant varieties, proper spacing, timely sowing.
- Biological Control: Use of natural enemies — Trichogramma wasps, ladybird beetles, Bt sprays.
- Physical Control: Sticky traps, pheromone traps, light traps, bird perches.
- Chemical Control: Use pesticides only when pest population exceeds Economic Threshold Level (ETL).
7. Emergency & First Aid
- Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash skin with soap and water for 15 minutes.
- Eye contact: Flush with clean water for 15–20 minutes; seek medical attention.
- Ingestion: Do NOT induce vomiting; call Poison Control immediately.
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air; if breathing is difficult, seek emergency medical care.
- National Poison Control Helpline: 1800-116-117