We
know that in the field of agriculture can not be separated from pesticides.
Pesticides are chemical substances used to control or kill the crop pests, such as worm, insect, rice pests,
etc. Pesticide usually is sprayed by farmers to their crops. Period in spraying
of pesticides depends on the type of plants. It can be said that the pesticides
have many benefits, which is faster in killing pests, but it doesn’t mean that
the use of pesticides has no bad impact. The uncontrolled use of pesticides can
affect the natural balance and dangerous for our health.
Why is the use of pesticides can
affect the natural balance and our health? Pesticides can classified into the
group of organochlor, organofosfor, and carbonate. Most of pesticides belong to
organochlor group. Classes of compound including organochlor are DDT, aldrin,
dieldrin, chlordane, heptachlor, etc. One of the harmful content in pesticide
is DDT or Dichloro Difenil Trichloroetana. DDT is very danger for our
environment and the living creatures.
The dangers of using DDT is revealed
in 1960, where many birds that died after eating the insects, the baby died
after sucking its mother’s milk. From the research, apparently insects, milk,
and fat tissue in the human body contain DDT. It occurs because DDT in soil is
difficult to decompose and can enter the food chain such as grass, vegetables,
and insect-resistant. The grass eaten by farm animals and finally the meat or
milk consumed by humans. But, the use of this substance in pesticides has been
baned by the government.
In addition to DDT, there are still
dangerous chemical substances in pesticides, they are diazinon and dursban.
Diazinon and dursban are chemicals used on gardens and also to agricultural
crops as an insectiside. The use of them should be banned because they are very
harmful for human health. They can cause diarrhea, headaches, an inability to
concentrate, etc. They can also cause profound growth and mental retardation
when pregnant mothers are exposed. Based on the research, pesticides also can
increase risk of Parkinson’s dissease.
In reality, pesticides are still
used by farmers currently, especially in Indonesia. If the use of pesticides is
doing uncontrolled, the crops such as fruit or vegetables can contain large
amount of pesticides. Of course, it is so dangerous for our health. Whereas, we
know that we need fruits and vegetables to make us healthy and strong. So, what
should we do?
In this time, there is a new
breakthrough in the field of agriculture. It is called organic farming. Organic farming is a form of agriculture which
excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides. The organic
farming use the natural methods of protection from pests such as those derived
from plants. Of course it is not use the chemical substance, so that the
organic food is healthier than the conventional one. As we know, the price of
organic food is more expensive. Why? It is because more work needs to grow
crops without the aid of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and drugs. Although
the price of organic food is more expensive, but there is no harm if we buy them
because it is for our health. We don’t need to replace all our foods into
organic. If we worried about the contet of pesticides, buy the organic food
types most commonly consumed every day.
In conclusion, we as consumer should
be more careful in choosing our foods. For the farmers are better to switch to
organic farming. And also to the government in order to socialize to farmers
about the danger of pesticides use and the instructions how to use pesticides
properly and safely. And if possible, support the farmers, especially in
financial.
***
I'm sorry if my english is not perfect...
REFERENCES:
Priyana, Joko, dkk. 2008. Interlanguage: English for Senior High School Students XI Science and
Social Study Programme. Jakarta: Pusat Perbukuan, Departemen Pendidikan
Nasional.
Sutresna, Nana. 1996. Penuntun Belajar Kimia 2 Untuk SMU Kelas 2. Bandung: Ganeca Exact.
http://female.kompas.com/read/2011/01/25/09020672
http://srwahyuni.blogspot.com/2008/11/pencemaran-tanah-akibat-penggunaan.html
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