1.1 Introduction
Pesticide is a broader term that covers all kinds of pests’ control agents such as fungicide, weedicide, herbicide, termiticide, molluscicides, nematicide, rodenticide, bactericide, avicide, disinfectant and repellents (Carolyn et al., 2013). Pesticides are primarily used at various phases of the food and feed industries; production, transport, processing, distribution, storage and in farm animals to control external parasites (Yamada, 2017). Pesticides contain active compounds which have significantly contributed to agriculture. For insecticides, the most extensive used around the world are Neonicotinoids. They are used to treat seeds or sprayed on foliage of a wide range of crops because of their systemic mode of actions (Pisa et al., 2015).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The increasing effects of inappropriate use of pesticides has attracted the attentions of researchers, policy makers, and the general public globally (Okoffo et al., 2016). According to Zhang (2018), the application of pesticides and their related contaminations in our daily lives has resulted in several kinds of disorders in human and animals, and also, caused damages to humans’ intelligence and fecundity. The various classes of pesticide categorized by the World Health Organization (WHO) have the potentials of causing sharp toxicity among animals particularly mammals, when administered orally. In contrast, they pose less risk of toxicity when they come into contact with the skin or inhaled (Ndayambaje et al., 2019).
The degrees of pesticides exposure among people working in farms, are higher than the rest of the human population. Research shows that exposure to pesticides is characterized by birth defects, leukemia, and infant’s mortality (UNICEF, 2018). Children are highly exposed to pesticides and their related poisonings due to inappropriate applications, poor storage at homes and spillages on grounds, floors, fruits and vegetables (UNICEF, 2018). A report by WHO (2019) estimates that about 3,000,000 poisonings and 220,000 pesticides associated deaths occur annually, most particularly in the least developed regions of the world (Kaur et al., 2019).
There are growing concerns about the indiscriminate use of agrochemicals without adhering to safety protocols (Okoffo et al., 2016). Pesticides contaminations are as a result of a series of actions such as the transportation of pesticides, spray drifts, pesticides particles on leaves after spraying, spillage on soils, grounds, floors, wooden and plastic materials, poor disposal of empty containers of pesticides, storage, carrying by surface runoff etc. (FAO and WHO, 2019). Some evidence suggests that poor and relaxed regulations, assessments and pesticide applications, are the reasons for the increasing dangers of the negative health impacts and environmental pollution due to pesticides, especially in the least developed nations (Bornman et al., 2017). Most farmers in these countries do not have formal education and as such, some do not adhere to the necessary precautionary measures for safe application of pesticides. Consequently, this exposes the farmers, environment, crops, beneficial organisms and water sources to the highest potential risks associated with pesticides (Imoro et al., 2019).
Chemical compounds in some pesticides are soluble in fats, and therefore have the ability to penetrate the skin, respiratory tract, mucous membrane of the mouth, gastrointestinal walls, and the lubricating membrane of the eyeball, when exposed to them (Sharma et al., 2020). The negative effects posed on the diversity, activities and physiology of beneficial terrestrial organisms and several kinds of aquatic lives have been reported in many studies (Brühl and Zaller, 2019). Sánchez-Bayo and Wyckhuys (2019) reported that, pollutions caused by chemical substances, including pesticides, have been identified as the second most powerful force responsible for global declines in populations of insect species.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Production and Analysis of Pesticide - Insecticide.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that pesticide residues have been detected in honey and in fruits, cereals and vegetables. The degree of these residues varies due to practices by processors and growers (Heard et al., 2017). Most pesticides are detected in blood, milk and tissues containing fats, due to accumulation of the residues in the food chain (Buah-Kwofie et al., 2018). The high rate of pesticides usage leaves deposits of residues in crop produce, which eventually find its way into the food system posing risks to man and animals (Sharma et al., 2017).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to analyze the production process of pesticide. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To produce an environmental friendly insecticide and the judicious ways it can be used;
- To review differences, abundance and effects of insects; and
- To determine the pesticides contaminations and implications on human and animals.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What is an insecticide?
- What are the pesticides contaminations and implications on human and animals?
- What are the effect of pesticides on flying insect and other organism?
1.6 Significance of Study
This research will be significant to public health and WHO has done classification of pesticides on the basis of hazardous effects with the comprehensive knowledge of classification of pesticides, gross use of pesticides can be minimized by using it judicially and it is helpful to public health & ecosystem.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Production and Analysis of Pesticide (Insecticide).
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
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