Natural and synthetic pesticide and their effect on life

Year : 2025 | Volume : 16 | Issue : 03 | Page : 8 13
    By

    Prince Patel,

  • Anita Gaur,

  1. Student, Department of Industrial Chemistry, Lajpat Rai College, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, UTTAR PRADESH, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial Chemistry, Lajpat Rai College, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, UTTAR PRADESH, India

Abstract

Natural and synthetic pesticides both play roles in pest control but differ significantly in their impact on life and the environment. Natural pesticides, often derived from plants and microorganisms, are biodegradable, eco-friendly, and generally exhibit lower toxicity to non-target organisms and humans. Synthetic pesticides, while highly effective in pest control and used extensively in conventional agriculture, tend to have greater toxicity, persist longer in the environment, and pose more significant health risks such as acute poisoning and chronic diseases, including cancer and neurobehavioral disorders. They also disrupt ecosystems by affecting non-target species and contributing to biodiversity loss and pollution. Integrated pest management practices increasingly prioritize natural and biological pesticides to reduce these adverse effects and promote environmental and human health safety. Natural Pesticides are derived from plants and microorganisms. Natural pesticides include compounds like terpenes, alkaloids, and polyphenols that control pests through various ecological activities, such as repellency and toxicity specific to pests. They are less persistent in the environment, reducing contamination risks and adverse effects on non-target organisms. Their biodegradability and specificity make them more sustainable alternatives to synthetic chemicals for pest management. Synthetic pesticides are chemically produced and widely used for their high potency. They have major ecological impacts, including disruption of soil microbial communities, harm to non-target arthropods and aquatic life, and accumulation leading to long-term environmental contamination. Human exposure, both acute and chronic, is associated with symptoms ranging from irritation and poisoning to serious health conditions like cancer and endocrine disruption.

Keywords: Natural pesticides, synthetic pesticides, toxicity, health risks, biodegradability, specificity

[This article belongs to Journal of Modern Chemistry & Chemical Technology ]

How to cite this article:
Prince Patel, Anita Gaur. Natural and synthetic pesticide and their effect on life. Journal of Modern Chemistry & Chemical Technology. 2025; 16(03):8-13.
How to cite this URL:
Prince Patel, Anita Gaur. Natural and synthetic pesticide and their effect on life. Journal of Modern Chemistry & Chemical Technology. 2025; 16(03):8-13. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jomcct/article=2025/view=233216


References

1. Aktar MW, Sengupta D, Chowdhury A. Impact of pesticides use in agriculture: their benefits and hazards. Interdiscip Toxicol. 2009 Mar; 2(1): 1–12. doi:10.2478/v10102-009-0001-7. PMID:21217838.
2. Ayilara MS, Adeleke BS, Babalola OO. Biopesticides as a promising alternative to synthetic pesticides. Front Agron. 2023; 5: 997850. doi:10.3389/fagro.2023.997850.
3. Pathak VM, Verma VK, Kumar V, Jha NK, Sinha RP, Sharma RK. Current status of pesticide effects on environment, human health, and food safety. Front Public Health. 2022; 10: 942856. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.942856.
4. Khursheed A. Plant-based natural products as potential eco-friendly and safer biopesticides: A comprehensive overview of their advantages over conventional pesticides, limitations and regulatory aspects. Microb Pathog. 2022 Dec; 173(Pt A): 105854. doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022
5. Daraban GM, et al. Pesticides vs. Biopesticides: From pest management to Toxicity and Impacts on the Environment and Human Health. Toxics. 2023 Dec 4; 11(12): 983.
6. Wei Zhou, Mengmeng L, Varenyam Achal. A comprehensive review on environmental and human health impacts of chemical pesticides. Emerg Contam. 2025 Mar; 11(1): 100410.
7. Nehul JN. Environmental Impact of Pesticides: Toxicity, Bioaccumulation and Alternatives. Environ Rep. 2025; 7(2): 101–115.
8. Abdullah S, Iqra Zahoor. Biopesticides: A Green Substitute to Chemical Pesticide. Int J Chem Biochem Sci. 2023; 24(4): 141–156.
9. Šunjka D, et al. An Alternative Source of Biopesticides and Improvement in Agricultural Pest Control. Plants (Basel). 2022; 11(22): 3172. doi:10.3390/plants11223172.
10. Beyuo J, Sackey LNA, Yeboah C, et al. The implications of pesticide residue in food crops on human health: a critical review. Discov Agric. 2024;2:123. doi:10.1007/s44279-024-00141-z.
11. Pathak VM, et al. Current status of pesticide effects on environment, human health and eco-friendly management as bioremediation: A comprehensive review. Front Microbiol. 2022 Aug 17; 13: 962619. PMC [Internet]. [cited 2025 Oct 28]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/articles/PMC9428564/
12. Anaduaka EG, Uchendu N, Asomadu R, Ezeorba TPC. Widespread use of toxic agrochemicals and pesticides for agricultural products storage in Africa and developing countries: possible panacea for ecotoxicology and health implications. Heliyon. 2023 Apr 6; 9(4): e15173.


Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 16
Issue 03
Received 27/10/2025
Accepted 28/10/2025
Published 07/11/2025
Publication Time 11 Days


Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics