Pesticides

This is a term used to describe any chemical which is used to kill a pest, whether plant, animal, or microbe. The most common pesticides are insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. These chemicals help crops grow large and prevent devastation from pests, but there is also concern about their toxicity when consumed by humans.

Common health concerns include cancer, learning disorders in children, and a new study has even found an increased risk in Parkinson's disease related to pesticide exposure. Pesticides are often a strong factor when people consider changing over to an organic diet.