The world’s most widely used insecticides have contaminated
the environment across the planet so pervasively that global food production is
at risk, according to a comprehensive scientific assessment of the chemicals’
impacts. The researchers compare their impact with that reported in Silent
Spring, the landmark 1956 book by Rachel Carson that revealed the decimation of
birds and insects by the blanket use of DDT and other pesticides and led to the
modern environmental movement. Billions of dollars’ worth of the potent and
long-lasting neurotoxins are sold every year but regulations have failed to
prevent the poisoning of almost all habitats, the international team of
scientists concluded in the most detailed study yet. As a result, they say,
creatures essential to global food production — from bees to earthworms — are
likely to be suffering grave harm and the chemicals must be phased out.