Environmental Pollution by Pesticides

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

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2. Introduction

   • C. A. Edwards

   Pages 1-9

3. Methods and Problems in Analysing for Pesticide Residues in the Environment

   • J. H. Ruzicka

   Pages 11-56

4. Pesticide Residues in Plants

   • D. G. Finlayson, H. R. MacCarthy

   Pages 57-86

5. Pesticide Residues in Soil Invertebrates

   • A. R. Thompson

   Pages 87-133

6. Pesticide Residues in Aquatic Invertebrates

   • S. R. Kerr, W. P. Vass

   Pages 134-180

7. Pesticide Residues in Fish

   • D. W. Johnson

   Pages 181-212

8. Effects of Pesticides on Fish

   • A. V. Holden

   Pages 213-253

9. Pesticide Residues in Birds and Mammals

   • L. F. Stickel

   Pages 254-312

10. Pesticide Residues in Man

    • J. E. Davies

    Pages 313-333

11. Pesticide Residues in Food

    • R. E. Duggan, M. B. Duggan

    Pages 334-364

12. Pesticides in the Atmosphere

    • G. A. Wheatley

    Pages 365-408

13. Pesticide Residues in Soil and Water

    • C. A. Edwards

    Pages 409-458

14. Dynamics of Pesticide Residues in the Environment

    • J. Robinson

    Pages 459-493

15. Degradation of Pesticide Residues in the Environment

    • F. Matsumura

    Pages 494-513

16. Back Matter

    Pages 515-542

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The persistent organic pesticides have saved millions of lives by controlling human disease vectors and by greatly increasing the yields of agricultural crops. However, in recent years man has become ever more conscious of the way in which his environment is becoming increasingly polluted by chemicals that may harm plants, animals or even himself. Amongst these chemicals the organochlorine insecticides have been well to the fore as a major cause of anxiety to ecologists, not only because they persist so long, but also because of the readiness with which they are taken up into the bodies of living organisms, especially the fatty tissues of both animals and humans. The extent and seriousness of the potential hazards due to these chemicals still remains to be fully defined. Our information on the occur­ rence of residues in the various parts of the environment is very uneven and localized. For instance, whereas we have a great deal of data on residues in North America, we know virtually nothing about the extent of pesticide contamination in Africa, South America and much of Asia, although large amounts of organochlorine insecticides have been used in these areas.

• environment
• environmental pollution
• pollution
• air pollution and air quality

• Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, England

  C. A. Edwards

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