Pesticides

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Pesticides

Definition:

Pesticides are substances that protect plants against molds, fungi, and insects. The term pesticide refers to all pest control substances, including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides.

The use of pesticides helps prevent crop loss and potential human disease. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are currently more than 865 registered pesticides. Less than half of those are used to protect our food supply. (Overall, most experts agree the United States has a safe food supply.)

Man-made pesticides are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This agency controls how much man-made pesticide can be applied on crops, and how much can remain on the food you buy.

Alternative Names:

Pesticides and food

Review Date: 8/8/2005
Reviewed By: William D. Whetstone M.D., Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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