Environmental and Social Costs of Pesticides: A Preliminary Assessment

Abstract
A study was made of the indirect costs that result from pesticide usage in the USA. These costs included 45,000 annual non-fatal and fatal human pesticide poisonings; livestock losses; reduced natural enemies and pesticide resistance; honey bee poisonings and reduced pollination; losses of crops and trees; fish and wildlife losses and miscellaneous losses. The estimated total of $839 million annual losses attributed to environmental and social costs of pesticide use represents only a small portion of the actual costs. The results of this preliminary assessment underscore the serious nature of the environmental and social costs of pesticide use.