Pesticides: The Hidden Effects

A recent study conducted by Simone Tosi, professor and researcher at the University of Turin, shows the side effects of: pesticides. They can cause behavioral damage, physiological and cognitive for pollinating animals and many others that benefit humans.

Such an negative effects are defined sublethal, that is, leading to biological or pathological damage, but not death. Effects affecting insects with the role of pollinators and also other animals with a positive role. Pesticides sometimes spread along with other chemicals that seriously harm animals. To date, most of the side effects caused are still unknown.

After years of research into the complex and controversial health of bees, we realized something was wrong. In our study, most of the bees and other pollinators exposed to the pesticides showed behavioral and physiological abnormalities: they could no longer move and coordinate, their flight skills were impaired and they were unable to thermally regulate the hive. Despite this, pesticides approved for use in our fields are not tested for these types of effects on pollinators. It’s like we’re only assessing the risk of alcohol to humans by taking into account its lethal effects, not those on cognitive skills, such as drink-driving.

Simone Tosi, professor and researcher at the University of Turin

With this study, the researchers therefore propose to introduce new methods for the analysis of these side effects. For example, the negative effects of pesticides, but also of the fungicides and from herbicides. The aim is to protect people and nature against the negative influence of pesticide use. To do this, it is useful to underline the need for a more sophisticated risk assessment of pesticides. All aimed at a healthier environment for bees and humans.