The fundamental difference between organic and synthetic pesticides is not their toxicity, but their origin—whether they are extracted from natural plants, insects, or mineral ores or are chemically synthesized. In fact, some organic pesticides have mammalian toxicities that are far higher than many synthetic pesticides.  

Fungicides effectively illustrate this. The primary organic fungicides are sulfur and copper. Both products are mined from natural mineral ores. Both are toxic to a broad range of organisms and are long-term soil and environmental contaminants. Both are applied at significantly higher rates of active ingredient than synthetic fungicides.  

According to the NCFAP data, 13.7 million pounds of copper was used to treat 3.3 million acres of crops in 1997 at an average rate of over 4 pounds per acre. Nearly 78 million pounds of sulfur was used on 2.2 million acres applied at an average of over 34 pounds per acre. 

In contrast, only 40 million pounds of synthetic fungicides were used to treat over 25 million acres at an average rate of only 1.58 lbs. per acre. This is less than half the average rate for copper and less than 5 percent the average rate for sulfur.

Because organic insecticides are less effective and degrade more rapidly than their synthetic counterparts, organic insecticides also need to be used more frequently to achieve the same level of pest control.

Nature’s Toxic Tools: The Organic Myth of Pesticide-Free Farming
Center for Global Food Issues, P.O. Box 202, Churchville, Va 24421-0202, USA

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