Commonly used disposing methods for waste pesticides

What is it about?

Many pesticides which were used in agriculture in the last 30-40 years are no longer authorised and have been replaced by pesticides on a nonchemical basis. Currently, the aim of the REACH Regulation in the European Union is to provide better protection for humans and the environment from possible chemical risks and to promote sustainable development. The European Chemicals Agency, established under this regulation and based in Helsinki, is responsible for managing the technical, scientific, and administrative aspects of REACH and for ensuring consistency in its application (www.europarl.europa.eu). In order to enhance the level of protection of human health and the environment, the same criteria for identifying labels for describing chemical hazards should be used throughout the EU and the world (www.europarl.europa.eu). This contribution briefly refers to the pesticides classification and their most commonly used detoxification.

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Why is it important?

The starting of DDT production during World War II also signalized the beginning of a very rapid increase in pesticide use. Pesticides applied in the control of invertebrates are known as insecticides. On the other hand, vertebrates are controlled by rodenticides, which are used for killing rodents etc.; moreover, avicides are applied to repel birds, and piscicides are used in fish control. Herbicides are the most important in agriculture and are used for plant cultivation, moreover, fungicides are useful in killing fungi. Bactericides are used against bacteria, slimicides are used against slime-causing organisms in water, and algicides against algae.

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