CHEMICAL POLLUTION 

 Prepared by Jack VJicks 

 Roosevelt County Extension Agent 



In 1939 the Swiss scientist, Paul Muller, 

 discovered the insecticidal properties of 

 2-2-bix (p-chloraphenyl)-l,l,l-trlchlorae- 

 thane or as more commonly known as DDT. 

 This was the start of major pesticide 

 (insecticides, herbicides, etc.) develop- 

 ment and we have been hearing about pesti- 

 cides ever since. 



The pesticides that we use today play 

 an important part in helping to reduce the 

 cost ot our food. It has been estimated 

 that without the use of chemical pesticides 

 a 20c can of sweet corn would cost 52c a 

 can, milk at 27c a quart would cost 3Ac 

 and a can of string beans would cost 87c 

 instead of 29c a can. Other examples 

 can be quoted to show where the supply of 

 food items would be very short thus caus- 

 ing the prices to double what they are 

 now if pesticides could not be used. 



> Most farmers and ranchers are aware of 

 \ the good that the use of pesticides can do. 

 / But have you considered the safeguard need- 

 ed to prevent the polluting of our environ- 

 ment? 



There are several things to look at when 

 discussing the use of any pesticide. 

 These include: 



1. Toxicity of the chemical to the user 

 mixing or applying it. 



2. Affect of the chemical residue on 

 the user. 



3. Affect of the chemical and its residue 

 on the total environment. 



The first of these three things has been 

 taken into consideration from the start of 

 pesticide development. The last two have 

 been considered important for a shorter 

 time and are the ones we hear about contin- 

 uously today. Society as a whole must under- 

 stand these three things and be willing to 

 accept the risks involved along with the 

 benefits received. The problem comes when 

 this risk benefit relationship is different 

 among various groups in our society, as is 

 the case today. 



Monitoring throughout Montana indi- 

 cates that residue problems are showing up 



in the state. They have already discovered 

 DDT residue in game birds and elk, and ^^ 

 I am sure we are going to hear more aliout 

 increased residue levels as environmental 

 studies are continously being made through- 

 out the state. 



There are many ways a pesticide can be 

 reduced or eliminated: 



1. Abandon the use of pesticides. 



It is generally agreed, that this 

 is not the solution. Insecti- 

 cides and other pesticides will 

 continue to be used to meet most 

 of our insect and other pest pro- 

 blems. 



2. Develop biological control of 

 pests. 



3. Regulate the use of pesticides 

 to qualified applicators. 



The one being considered by a 

 Montana Legislature Council Sub- 

 committee is to legislate certain 

 control on the sale and use of ^^ 

 chemical pesticides. ^^ 



A proposed law now being re- 

 viewed by the subcommittee would 

 administer the sale and use of 

 chemical pesticides in the follow- 

 ing way. 



a) The appointment of a state 

 pesticide board. 



b) The registration of pesti- 

 cides for a fee with the Dept. 

 of Agriculture. 



c) Licensing applicators and oper- 

 ators with a fee, by the Dept. 

 of Agriculture. 



d) Dept. of Health licensing of 

 pesticide dealers, accompanied 

 by a fee. 



e) Licenses would be granted to 

 pesticide applicators, operators 

 and dealers who pass a compre- 

 hensive written test and pay an 

 annual fee. 



f) All farm applicators would be 

 required to obtain a Dept. of 

 Agriculture permit from the ^^ 

 county clerk and recorder to ^^ 

 apply pesticides or allow his 

 employees to apply pesticides, 

 to his commercial crops or to 



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