Pesticides: Health, Safety and the Environment

by G.A. Matthews

Over the last five decades pesticides have undoubtedly helped to increase agricultural production and control vectors of disease, however the environmental impact of long term agro-chemical use has been cause for concern along with the effects on human health.

In Pesticides, Graham Matthews begins by looking at the developmental history of pesticides, and how crop protection was achieved before they were in use, how pesticides are registered for use and what happens to pesticides in food and the environment. Pesticide application and operator safety is investigated and the future of pesticides in light of the development of genetically modified crops is explored.


Collecting together the most recent research in the area in a single volume, this book is a vital resource for agricultural scientists, agronomists, plant scientists, plant pathologists, entomologists, environmental scientists, public health personnel, toxicologists, crop protection personnel and all those involved in the agrochemical industry and government pesticide registration and legislation.

248 pages, Hardcover

First published May 31, 2006

About the author

Graham Matthews began his entomological career with the cotton research team in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) from 1958 through to 1967 and re-joined it in Malawi on secondment from Imperial College from 1968-72 when he took charge of the Overseas Spraying Machinery Centre, later the International Pesticide Application Research Centre (IPARC) at Silwood Park until his retirement. Research of application techniques continued with visits to many crops around the world. Since the start of Crop Protection he was one of the editors until Volume 25. He is now Emeritus Professor and continues research on application in relation crop protection and vector management. He is author of Pesticide Application Methods –now published as the 4th edition, and several other books on cotton and pesticide application.