Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the greens industry has seen a steady 8% increase in sales of soil, pots, seeds, and other gardening supplies. It appears that more and more individuals are interested in growing their own food, learning about agriculture, and finding a relaxing hobby.
It comes as no surprise, but gardening hosts some impressive physical and mental benefits. These benefits may be what’s behind the increase in the industry. Things like:
These benefits are only a fraction of what gardening can bring to an individual, family, or the environment. Studies have shown that growing your food can drastically lower your individual carbon footprint, another benefit that has been encouraged by environmentalists and activists.
Despite the benefits of gardening and practicing agriculture, it comes with its fair share of challenges. Climate, soil structure, watering schedules, rodents, and insects are just a few of the hurdles most gardeners face, especially beginners.
Insects are especially challenging, as many are invasive, reproduce at fast a pace, and are attracted to flowering fruit and vegetables crops. To combat insects and rodents, many turn to pesticides or chemical agents to deter or kill those that attempt to feed from crops. While these agents are effective, they pose greater risks to the environment and human health.
To be effective, the goal of pesticides is to kill specific intruders, but not harm other wildlife or humans. However, that has proven to not be the case. In addition, pesticides have been used to protect crops (especially in the beginning of a growing cycle) to support the highest yields possible. Essentially, killing more pests will save more plants, allowing more crops to reach maturity and produce more product.
Unfortunately, pesticides have been shown to disrupt multiple other environmental systems and human biology. From an environmental stance, pesticides have been found to pass from crops to air, soils, water, and wildlife. While regulations are in place for pesticide use, many activists and environmental scientists argue current regulations are not offering enough protection for the environment or humans.
Pesticides are typically applied via sprays or powders. Due to wind drifts, these application processes allow the chemicals inside pesticides to be picked up by the wind and dispersed into the air. Air quality concerns have been linked to pesticide use. Pesticides in the air release hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOC), which have been linked to human health symptoms including throat, lung, and eye irritation.
An EPA study found that 80% of most people’s exposure to pesticides occurs indoors, typically through air circulation. It was also found that 75% of U.S households use at least one pesticide product in or around their home.
After pesticides are applied, they have the potential to enter surrounding water bodies and even underground aquifers that are used for drinking water. Heavy or frequent rain events make the likelihood of pesticides entering water bodies even higher.
Once pesticides have entered water bodies, they pose a risk to wildlife and humans who come into contact with the water.
Species of wildlife are especially sensitive to pesticide exposure. From smaller insects to larger mammals, all wildlife is at risk of pesticide toxicity. Pesticides have been found to dysregulate hormonal function in wildlife; affecting behavior and
reproduction rates. 
In the past decade, pollinator species, including bees and butterflies, have been especially threatened by pesticide use. A 2020 study found that losses in flowering plants in combination with widespread pesticide use reduce the reproduction potential of hives by 57% — bees are an essential agriculture support system for crops that do not self-pollinate.
The long-term impacts of pesticides on the human body continue to be researched. However, acute effects of pesticides have been thoroughly documented. Acute effects are those that happen within a short time frame after exposure. These acute effects include:
While long-term impacts continue to be studied, some effects have been backed by substantial research. These include:
While pesticides are known to cause a multitude of human health risks, minority communities and individuals are at higher risk of health issues from pesticide use. The success of the agriculture sector, especially in the United States, depends on workers who are willing to be exposed to pesticides.
Roughly 83% of farm workers identify as Hispanic or Latinx, many of whom are gap-workers from Mexico. These workers utilize immigration benefits to be able to work in the U.S agriculture sector to fill worker shortages. The average annual income for such workers is often less than $20,000 a year and one third of farm workers have family incomes below the federal poverty line.
To be expected, those in closest proximity to pesticide applications are at higher risk for health complications. The EPA estimates that 10,000–20,000 agricultural workers experience physician-diagnosed, acute illness each year in the U.S due to pesticide exposure. The true number is expected to be higher when including those who do not seek medical treatment for their symptoms.
Pesticides have been used for hundreds of years to mitigate insects and pests that damage crops. However, in the process, pesticides have also played a part in damaging the environment, species populations, and human health. Greater governmental regulations are needed to protect wildlife, and the health of humans, especially those who work in the agricultural field.
8 Surprising Health Benefits of Gardening
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Gardening in the United States: Postpandemic Expectations in
Impact of pesticides use in agriculture: their benefits and hazards – PMC
