In agriculture, the use of pesticides and herbicides is common. In fact, without these chemicals crops would be far less productive. But for some time now, they have been targeted by specialists, because they can harm both the environment and people's health. Hence the dimethoate is now prohibited in Spain.
This compound was very effective when it came to fighting aphids and grasshoppers, among other insects, but it has also turned out to be a great enemy for bees, so in 2020 it was decided to prohibit its use. Let's see in more detail what is the cause of its ban.
What is dimethoate?
Is it an insecticide or organophosphate pesticide. That is to say, that its main component is phosphorus, which is combined with other organic elements. It is precisely this composition that makes it so effective, and what made it one of the most used products in agriculture and horticulture for decades to control the presence of insects and fight pests.
Dimethoate has proven to be very effective against mosquitoes, thrips, aphids and, especially, against the White fly, which affects olive trees, apple, watermelon, orange and pear crops, among others. Giving good results both in field crops and in horticultural and fruit crops.
What it does is inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which plays an essential role in the transmission of nerve impulses in insects. Causes a buildup of acetylcholine, overstimulating the nervous system and causing death.
Dimethoate, a problem for bees
For some years now, the effect that pesticides cause on bee communities has been studied. Because, just as they act on other insects that are harmful to crops, they can do so on animals that are as beneficial as bees.
Already in 1984 there were studies that spoke of the toxicity of dimethoate for bees and how it affected their number, but it took more than 30 years for measures to be taken. Now it has been confirmed that this product causes imbalances in ecosystems and affects biodiversity, killing bees and hindering the pollination of plants.
Dimethoate and its effect on the natural environment
This pesticide presents various risks to the environment that go beyond its impact on bee communities. Risks that have become compelling reasons for its prohibition.
- Toxicity to non-target organisms. As we have pointed out before, this pesticide works against insects such as the whitefly, which is bad for crops, but it also affects beneficial insects such as bees or ladybugs. If used in excess, it can significantly decrease populations of pollinating insects.
- Water contamination. When crops treated with dimethoate receive rainwater, it runs off into nearby bodies of water and could end up contaminating streams, rivers and wells. Once in the water, it can have harmful effects on aquatic life.
- Persistence in the soil. The characteristics of this chemical product allow it to persist in the soil for a long time after its application. If it is used in crops year after year, the accumulation of remains in the soil can affect its fertility.
- Pest resistance. This pesticide has been used for decades and has the same problem as many others, that insects end up developing resistance. So it is no longer 100% effective against pests, while its harmful effects on the environment remain intact.
- accidental exposure. The use of dimethoate in aerosols can end up carrying the product into areas inhabited by humans or animals.
Risks of dimethoate for humans
Despite now being banned, this chemical has been used for decades in the field, and it has been found that it can be toxic at different levels.
High and chronic toxicity
Exposure to an excessive amount of dimethoate can cause acute poisoning that causes vomiting, headaches, dizziness and, in the most severe cases, seizures and even coma. If the exposure is prolonged, the affectation can become chronic and cause neurological problems which include memory problems and nervous system disorders.
Irritations
Direct contact with this product causes irritation. both on the skin and in the eyes. Redness, itching and a burning sensation appear. In cases like these it is best to go directly to the doctor.
Respiratory infections
Inhalation of dimethoate may irritate the respiratory tract and cause coughing and symptoms that often resemble those of the flu.
Cancer
As with other pesticides and fertilizers used on crops, there is a wide discussion among the scientific community about whether or not they have an influence on the development of cancer in humans.
There is no solid scientific evidence linking exposure to dimethoate with the development of cancer., but pesticides continue to be in the crosshairs of researchers.
Alternatives to dimethoate
Due to its high efficacy against the olive whitefly, the prohibition of dimethoate has been an inconvenience for those who work in agriculture. Luckily, it is possible to find other alternatives that are just as efficient against this and other insects and that do not affect the environment.
- Biologic control. It involves introducing natural pest predators into the ecosystem to keep harmful insects in check.
- natural insecticides. Products of natural origin such as neem oil they are less toxic to animals and humans, but effective against certain pests.
- Crop rotation. A classic technique that continues to work as well as it did millennia ago. It is about rotating the crops each season to avoid the growth of very large communities of certain insects around them.
- Traps and lures. It consists of using traps to attract insects and thus reduce their population, and using natural attractants to keep them away from crops.
Dimethoate has passed into history and can no longer be used professionally or privately. If you have pests in your crops, it is convenient that you look for an alternative that is less harmful to the environment. What do you think of the measure to ban this pesticide?