Chemical Exposure on Farms in Nebraska
Illness from Common Farm Chemicals
Farmers must use certain chemicals in order to grow their crops and protect their livestock. These are called "agrichemicals" and although they are necessary, they can be exceedingly dangerous for farmers. Those who work in the agricultural industry must always heed proper storage, transportation, use and disposal rules for these chemicals so that they do not cause harm to themselves and others.
Listed below are some of the most common chemicals used on farms, broken down by category:
Pesticides
These chemicals are commonly used on farms in order to deter pests such as bugs, insects and even weeds. They can be administered by hand or by way of crop-dusting. Pests can deter the growth of and can even contaminate crops. The agricultural industry accounts for 80 percent of the billions of pounds of pesticides that are used each year. The term "pesticide" is actually the category under which all other farming chemicals fall under. This includes herbicides, insecticides and fungicides.
Herbicides
In basic terminology, herbicides are weed killers. This type of pesticide is used to control the growth of weeds that can choke out crops. 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid was the first widely-used herbicide that was commercialized in the 1940s. Like other pesticides, this compound can be harmful if moderation is not used. Glyphosate and organophosphates are other common types of herbicide chemicals.
Insecticides
This type of pesticide is used to deter insects in particular. Some are targeted at killing eggs and larvae before they even hatch. Insecticides are harmful to humans. Some examples of these are aluminum and zinc phosphide, pyrethroids and cresol.
Fungicides
These chemical compounds are used to remediate fungus and fungal spores on farms. The most common active ingredient is sulfur (up to 90 percent active ingredient). They are very toxic. The different types of fungicides are contact, translaminar and systemic.
Health Effects of Pesticides
Research states that pesticides can cause both acute and delayed health effects in those who are exposed. Exposure can also result in a wide array of health conditions such as nervous system damage, reproductive problems and even cancer. According to the American Medical Association, exposure to pesticides and other chemical toxins should remain limited. An estimated three million agriculture workers around the world each year suffer from the effects of severe pesticide poisoning. Thousands of them are killed. Exposure to agrichemicals in women who are pregnant can even lead to birth defects and conditions such as autism.
Although pesticides are targeted at pests such as weeds, insects and even birds, they adversely affect the surrounding air, water and soil. If these materials become contaminated with pesticide, then individuals can be harmfully exposed to pesticides even if they simply live near a farm. As it was stated before, pesticides are necessary for improving livestock and crop yields, quality and also controlling the reproduction of pests at an overwhelming level. Pesticides can even control and limit disease spread to humans and livestock by way of disease-carrying pests. Crop chemicals also have financial benefits. Bioscience researchers have stated that for every dollar spent on pesticides, four dollars in crops are saved.
Harmed by Toxic Agrichemicals? Contact us today!
Exposure to pesticides can cause minor symptoms such as headaches, rashes and irritation but they can also cause serious health effects such as cancer and liver and kidney disease. Exposure to these chemicals can come by way of swallowing them, skin exposure or inhalation. Domina Law Group has a successful track record when it comes to prosecuting injuries that resulted from an exposure to harmful farming chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. If you or a loved one have been injured in this way, don't hesitate to contact our firm today.
