Environmental Issues

Usage of Organophosphates within the U.S.
Agriculture is one of the largest industries in the U.S. with well over 2.2 million farms found within the country as such it has one largest consumer bases and is a major exporter for agricultural products. With a need to supply goods at affordable prices farmers turned to ever more effective and affordable ways of increasing their yields which resulted in the usage of organophosphates as a method of controlling pests that damage their crops. In her book Silent Spring Rachel Carson discusses how the continued use of insecticides over a period of time can cause long term damage to both the environment and the people living on it as such the usage of organophosphates comes with it the potential for causing health risks to those continuously exposed to it (Carson 1962).

Occupational Exposure
As a result of the usage of organophosphates as means to control pests farmers that are in their fields checking or harvesting their crops are at risk of exposure to these harmful chemicals through either direct exposure via their skin from chemical laden plants or through smell from the residue remaining in the air. Once in their system organophosphates can causes intense neurological damage which can lead up death if left unchecked. As such due to the nature of these chemicals special methods of protection are needed to ensure safe handling of the crops and to ensure the health of the worker (Hoffman 2009).

Protection against Organophosphates.
Organophosphates affect the body through either inhalation, prolonged direct contact with the skin or through ingestion. In order to prevent exposure and subsequent nerve damage specialized equipment or at least a suitable form of protection is needed when dealing with this particular substance. In order to prevent poisoning through the skin all areas must be covered, when organophosphates are sprayed onto plants trace elements are sometimes left on the stalks which can cause poisoning should they graze the skin of the body. Several layers of thick cloth would be able to prevent this from happening and a pair of thick plastic gloves is needed when handling the crops to prevent exposure through the palms of the hands. To prevent poisoning via inhalation a face mask with a filtering apparatus should be used as well as a hat and towel wrapped around the hair to prevent any chemicals from reaching the scalp. The most effective way to truly prevent exposure would be the use of an environmental suit made out of plastic which has an air filter in the helmet that comes with it (Hoffman 2009).

Health problems associated chronic exposure to organophosphates
Organophosphates by its nature targets the nerves of the subjects that it is exposed to as such most problems associated with organophosphates are neurological in nature examples of which are Neuropsychiatric effects Impaired memory, confusion, irritability, lethargy, psychosis, and chronic organophosphate-induced neuropsychiatric disorders as well as Ophthalmic effects Optic neuropathy, retinal degeneration, defective vertical smooth pursuit, myopia, and miosis (Katz 2010)..

Laws and regulations in place
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
Under the FIFRA the EPA is responsible for the registering and licensing of pesticide products for use within the United States. The decisions behind the licensing of certain pesticides are based on the EPA assessing the potential effects of certain pesticides on the human body and the surrounding environment. The FIFRA also requires the EPA to evaluate pesticides which have previously passed the examination to make sure that they meet current safety standards. The FIFRA requires the EPA and all states to establish programs aimed at protecting workers to ensure their safety (EPA 2008).

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)
The FFDCA oversees the creation of pesticide tolerances for all food and animal feed products. As such a set limit for the allowed tolerance of pesticide residues in human food and animal feed has been put into effect in order to protect consumers from potential poisoning (EPA 2008).

Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)
This FQPA law which was passed in 1996, amends both the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act  which in effect creates a higher standard for pesticides used in the production of food products. The FQPA creates a single, health based standard which is to be used for the assessment of the potential risks inherent in certain pesticide residues in food or animal feed (EPA 2008).

Protecting our nations farmers
The best way to protect our nations farmers from these insecticides is not to give them better suits to protect themselves rather the most effective way would be to stop the usage of organophosphates all together. If safer methods of pest control are used then the health of our nations farmers wouldnt constantly be put in jeopardy.

Alternative methods to organophosphates
One alternative method to the use of organophosphates is the use of artificial pheromones to disrupt the ability of insects to communicate with one another (Science Daily 2005). By using this method only during the insects mating season not only due you reduce the insect population from increasing in a more natural way but you restrict the usage of artificial chemicals to only a few times a year thus preventing a the chemicals from saturating into the land and poisoning it. Another method would be the use of culture controls that to make crops less palatable to insects, methods under this include improved field sanitation methods, crop rotations so that the insects wont be able to get used to one particular plant, targeting plant rotation dates and improved irrigation and fertilization schedules(Science Daily 2005). Lastly a new method of deteriorating organophosphates has been developed recently where in a genetically engineered form of microorganism breaks down organophosphates and can actually commit suicide one its purpose has been completed, while such a method may be only repairing the damage it does present possibilities in protecting farmers from the damage already present in their lands (Li 2009). By using these natural methods not only do we safeguard the health of our nations farmers but also the quality of the food that we eat.