GC: n

S: WHO – http://www.who.int/topics/pesticides/en/ (last access: 4 February 2016); NIH – http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pesticides/ (last access: 29 November 2013); DORLAND.

N: 1. 1939, a hybrid coined from English pest + Latinate -cide.
2. Pesticides include herbicides for destroying weeds and other unwanted vegetation, insecticides for controlling a wide variety of insects, fungicides used to prevent the growth of molds and mildew, disinfectants for preventing the spread of bacteria, and compounds used to control mice and rats. Because of the widespread use of agricultural chemicals in food production, people are exposed to low levels of pesticide residues through their diets. Scientists do not yet have a clear understanding of the health effects of these pesticide residues. Results from the Agricultural Health Study, an ongoing study of pesticide exposures in farm families, show that farmers who used agricultural insecticides experienced an increase in headaches, fatigue, insomnia, dizziness, hand tremors, and other neurological symptoms. Evidence suggests that children are particularly susceptible to adverse effects from exposure to pesticides, including neurodevelopmental effects. People may also be exposed to pesticides used in a variety of settings including homes, schools, hospitals, and workplaces.
3. Regulations on pesticides make a distinction between those mainly used for crop protection purposes, which are generally known as phytopharmaceuticals or, more commonly, phytosanitary products (Directive 91/414/EEC), and those known as biocides (defined in particular in Directive 98/8/EEC). For example, an insecticide is a phytosanitary product when applied to a wheat crop, but is called a biocide when applied to roof timbers.

S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=pesticide (last access: 4 February 2016). 2. NIH – http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pesticides/ (last access: 29 November 2013). 3. TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 29 November 2013).

SYN:
S:

CR: fungicide, pest, plague, xenobiotic.