Problem
Water pollution by pesticides
Other Names:
Pesticide contamination of aquifers Incidence:
The pesticides most commonly found in groundwater include the weed-killers alachlor, atrazine and cyanazine. Without exposure to air and sunlight, pesticides that would have normally broken down in two months may last 6 months to a year underground. According to health officials, the shallow wells used by most farm families are more prone to contamination because the people drink the water straight whereas in industrial areas the water is treated. Even the best treatment available is not significantly reducing the concentration of pesticides in water and the only way to reduce health risks is to prevent the pollution in the first place.
Broader Problems:
Pollution of underground watersChemical contamination of waterEnvironmental hazards of pesticides References:
EPA: Pesticides: drinking water health advisoryAmerican Society for Testing and Materials: Pesticides, Resource Recovery Subject(s):
Hydrology → WaterIndustry → Chemical products
Societal Problems → Pollution
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
E: Emanations of other problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST