8
Pesticides, Organic Contaminants, and Pathogens in Air
Heavily used on fruit orchards, including apples to control codling
moths
Most alternatives were less effective or more toxic
Persistent in the environment
• 1892—Dinitrophenol
Used as an herbicide, insecticide, and fungicide
Very toxic uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, preventing formation of adenosine triphosphate
• 1897—Oil of Citronella
A natural insecticide from citronella grass
Can be used topically by humans to control mosquitos
• 1904—Potassium cyanide
A broad-spectrum fumigant (after reaction with acid to form hydrogen cyanide gas) for protecting plants from insects
Very toxic uncoupler of oxidative metabolism
• 1908—Nicotine
Contact insecticide and fumigant, mostly effective against soft-bodied
insects, or those of small size (mites, thrips, aphids)
Led eventually to development of neonicotinoids in the 1980s–1990s
Disrupts nervous system—toxic to animals including humans
In the 1920s, arsenic-based insecticides became the predominant pesticide used
around the world. In the United States alone, calcium arsenate was used in huge
amounts to control the boll weevil. In 1919, 1.5 million kg were used, and the
usage jumped to 5 million kg in 1920. Aerial spraying from planes became common in the 1920s. Around 1925, some experts began to raise concerns about
residues. In 1926, thallium sulfate, which is toxic to humans, was introduced to
control ants and rats. In the 1930s, rotenone, a plant root extract, came into use
as an insecticide; it proved to be poisonous to fsh though not to humans.
2.3 The Synthetic Revolution
2.3.1 Organochlorines
The next generation of pest control was based on synthetic chemicals called
organochlorines (OCs). OCs of generally low to moderate toxicity were introduced during and after World War II. The best-known example is DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), which was introduced in 1939 by Herman
Paul Müller, a Swiss chemist.
Pesticides, Organic Contaminants, and Pathogens in Air
Heavily used on fruit orchards, including apples to control codling
moths
Most alternatives were less effective or more toxic
Persistent in the environment
• 1892—Dinitrophenol
Used as an herbicide, insecticide, and fungicide
Very toxic uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, preventing formation of adenosine triphosphate
• 1897—Oil of Citronella
A natural insecticide from citronella grass
Can be used topically by humans to control mosquitos
• 1904—Potassium cyanide
A broad-spectrum fumigant (after reaction with acid to form hydrogen cyanide gas) for protecting plants from insects
Very toxic uncoupler of oxidative metabolism
• 1908—Nicotine
Contact insecticide and fumigant, mostly effective against soft-bodied
insects, or those of small size (mites, thrips, aphids)
Led eventually to development of neonicotinoids in the 1980s–1990s
Disrupts nervous system—toxic to animals including humans
In the 1920s, arsenic-based insecticides became the predominant pesticide used
around the world. In the United States alone, calcium arsenate was used in huge
amounts to control the boll weevil. In 1919, 1.5 million kg were used, and the
usage jumped to 5 million kg in 1920. Aerial spraying from planes became common in the 1920s. Around 1925, some experts began to raise concerns about
residues. In 1926, thallium sulfate, which is toxic to humans, was introduced to
control ants and rats. In the 1930s, rotenone, a plant root extract, came into use
as an insecticide; it proved to be poisonous to fsh though not to humans.
2.3 The Synthetic Revolution
2.3.1 Organochlorines
The next generation of pest control was based on synthetic chemicals called
organochlorines (OCs). OCs of generally low to moderate toxicity were introduced during and after World War II. The best-known example is DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), which was introduced in 1939 by Herman
Paul Müller, a Swiss chemist.