Character Line Opening [Music playing] [Introduction to video]
David [penguin sounds] [snoring]
[snoring] [startled snore]
OH NO![penguin sounds]
David: THE HOUSE [penguin sounds]
David: IS INFESTED [penguin sounds]
David: WITH[penguin sounds]
David: MICRO-PENGUINS!!!!! [penguin sounds]
David: If I were you, I'd fly away OH WAIT you can't! [Evil laugh] MUAH HAHAHAHAHA
[penguin sounds] Narrator: Hey, hold up there, Mr. Sphenisciphobia.
[penguin sounds] David: Excuse me? [penguin sounds]
Narrator: Do you even know what that stuff in that can is? [penguin sounds]
David: Yeah, it says it right here "Killy-Chilly-Willy". No more penguins. [penguin sounds]
Narrator: Well, do you know how to use it? [penguin sounds]
David: Uh, point and shoot, I guess[penguin sounds]
Narrator: Do you know what it could do to you? [penguin sounds]
David: make me look like an action hero while I clean up my house? [penguin sounds]
Narrator: Yeah, why don't you give me that to me for a second. We need to talk. [penguin
sounds stop] David: Hey! My awesome spray.
David: AH! My bathroom! Am I having an existential crisis here?
Narrator: Calm down, we just need to have a chat about pesticides.
David: Pester brides? Narrator: No, pesticides. They're any chemical
intended to prevent, repel, lessen, or destroy pests.
David: Right, pests. Meaning tiny penguins. Narrator: Well, in this case, sure, but pests
aren't just penguins. Pests are any unwanted organism. Pests can spread disease, compete
for resources with other organisms, cause property and crop damage, or just gross us
out. [David moves very close to the screen]
David: LIKE MICRO-PENGUINS! Narrator: You know it, tiger.
Narrator: Basically, a pest is an organism we don't want around for one reason or another.
These can be insects, rodents, weeds, mildew, or even bacteria. It's not just good to
get rid of pests that bother us in the house; sometimes pests can pose a major health risk
to us. Hey, David? David: Oh? We back to me now?
Narrator: What animal would you guess is responsible for the most human deaths every year?
David: Penguins! Narrator: Oh, be serious.
David: I don't know, sharks? Narrator: Sure, some people are afraid of
them, but sharks only kill a few people a year.
David: [sarcastic tone] Gee, how about a cow? Narrator: You're getting closer, cows kill
a couple dozen people a year. David: Woah, really? Uh, panda?
Narrator: this isn' fun anymore, it's the mosquito. Mosquitos can kill and make
millions of people very ill every year. David: What?! How can a tiny thing like that
off so many people? Narrator: Well mosquitos can carry diseases
like malaria, dengue fever, encephalitis, West Nile virus, and yellow fever to name
a few. Many of these diseases can lead to death, if untreated.
David: Oh my gosh! Well now's the time for pesticides!
Narrator: In this case, sure they could be helpful. In fact, the use of pesticides against
health threats like mosquitos has likely saved millions more lives than mosquitos take every
year. David: Take that you abominable arthropod!
Narrator: But it's not just sprays. Pesticides can be found as baits, powders, collars, disinfectants
like bleach, mold and mildew sprays, weed killers, swimming pool chemicals, larger animal
repellents. All of these pesticides you could probably find on a normal day of shopping!
Clerk: Sir, do you have a bonus card? David: No, thank you.
Clerk: Would you like to apply for one? I just need your e-mail, social security code,
and genetic fingerprint. David: What's wrong with you people?
Narrator: So David, how do you think that spray you're planning on using works?
David: I don't know. It just like goes like *pfffffffffff* then the penguins are all like *gaaaahhhhh
wahhhhhhh* and then I can watch TV without the living room smelling like fish.
Narrator: Not quite, sorry friend. David: Well, why should I care? This stuff
only works on penguins anyway. Narrator: That's where a lot of people would
be surprised. Some pesticides only affect their target species, but many more cause
similar reactions in all organisms. This means it's critical to understand what's going
on inside that bottle. Here, look at this. David: Oh,cool it's a science thing
Narrator: That's a chemical called �Chlorpyrifos�. It's a common ingredient in many pesticides.
David: So what does it do besides scare kids in chemistry class?
Narrator: Well, let's look at this chemical at work. These are hornworm caterpillars.
They cause major crop damage to tomato and tobacco plants across the United States every
year. David: That's ok, tomatoes are for hippies.
Narrator: That statement explains so much about you. Anyway, if we spray this field
with chlorpyrifos, the chemical will coat the leaves these caterpillars are eating.
David: Ah, a nice, light vinaigrette! Narrator: Sure, except this salad dressing
packs a bit more of a kick. When the caterpillars eat chlorpyrifos, the chemical blocks the
ability for their nerves to switch off. A simple signal from the brain to make a muscle
flex turns into a signal that can't be shut off. Essentially, these animals can't turn
their nerves off and the signals become nonsense. This will cause their nervous systems to eventually
fail, and they die. David: Well that's awesome! Now all the
caterpillars are gone, so we can get more food!
Narrator: Sure, but there is a problem. Many pesticides, like chlorpyrifos do their jobs
so well, that they can have the same effects on other organisms, even humans.
David: Ok, so I won't lick it, no big deal. Narrator: You don't always have to lick
it. Some pesticides can get into our body from being ingested or eaten, but others can
be inhaled or even touched. In fact, chlorpyrifos is moderately toxic to humans, and can be
absorbed through our skin. David: [concerned tone] Skin you say, what,
theoretically, could happen if a human maybe kinda-sorta touches chlorpyrifos?
Narrator: Well, the effect of chemical exposure depends on 1) How toxic the chemical is 2)
how much exposure you've had and 3) how you were exposed to the chemical.
Narrator: In the case of chlorpyrifos, it has the same effect in the human body as it
does in an insect's body. Depending on how severe the exposure, you could exhibit watery
eyes, drooling [groaning sounds], coughing [coughing sounds], stomach pain [groaning
sounds], vomiting [vomiting sounds], or diarrhea [David runs off screen shouting �uh-oh�uh-oh�uh-oh�uh-oh!!!�oh
no! Oh no�no� no�no!�]. In severe cases, you could experience tremors and muscles
spasms, paralysis, seizures, or even comas. Narrator: All of this depends on the kind
of pesticide you've been exposed to, and your level of exposure. Each kind of pesticide
comes with its own properties and potential health risks. Remember, constant exposure
to a mild pesticide could be a greater risk to you than a small dose of a highly toxic
pesticide. Narrator: Meaning, you could touch a very
toxic pesticide accidentally one time, and your health risk may not be as great as someone
who is in a field spraying a more mild pesticide every day.
David: [Groan] Ok, don't lick, touch, or breathe too close to the leaves. No problem.
Narrator: But you were going to eat the tomato, right?
David: Well, *I'M* not going to eat the tomato.
Narrator: Ok, SOMEONE will potentially eat that tomato, and it's been covered with
pesticide. Apples, pears, grapes, strawberries, lettuce, and many other foods could still
be covered with pesticides when you pick them up in the grocery store.
David: All the more reason to stick to potato chips and bacon.
Narrator: Yeah, because that doesn't come with any health risks. The easiest way to
avoid pesticides on your food is to make sure you thoroughly rinse your produce before eating
anything. Narrator: good to see you taking a moderate
approach to this, David. David: Hey, did you see what happened to me
in the last scene? No chances. I was so sick, I turned blue!
Narrator: Uh,well, you're always,yeah, I guess I won't get into that now.
Narrator: Let's not forget, though, pesticides aren't just sprayed on fields. There are
plenty in your own home. We need to practice safety here too.
David: Hey, I do all right. Look! All my pesticides are on the same shelf! And they're out of
reach of the children that I don't have[looks sad, then snaps back to normal]
Narrator: That's a start, but it is critical to ALWAYS follow the exact instructions on
the bottle. David: Sure, everything's on this label
up until it says Caution who's ever needed THAT part
Narrator: If you come in contact with a pesticide, follow the label's instructions. Different
pesticides will require different treatments! If you think someone has been poisoned, contact
the poison control center at (800)222-1222. Narrator: and lastly, ALWAYS make sure pesticides
are in their ORIGINAL containers. Never transfer them to some other container.
David: [David looks at milk bottle with green fumes coming out of it] Oh We probably
don't need to talk about this one then [nervous laugh]
David: So, with responsible use, pesticides can help us control the spread of disease,
protect our native environment and property, and get rid of nasty things in our house.
Pesticides are pretty great, huh? Narrator: Well, yes and no.
Narrator: [annoyed tone] *sigh* Is anything simple with you?
Narrator: Hear me out. So, pesticides can be very effective against certain pests, but
you will never kill ALL of them. David: Well, sure, but that's just two of
them. Narrator: Ok, but why do you think they survived?
David: I don't know, they go to yoga every night?
Narrator: They survived because there was a variation in this population of caterpillars.
These caterpillars possess some trait that allows them to survive better than others.
This trait that makes them immune to the pesticide can be likely passed on to their offspring,
so that means their babies will be David: [Gasps] Super ultra-mega caterpillars!
[looks terrified] [giant caterpillar roars loudly in the background]
Narrator: Well, more likely to survive the spray, yes. So that means
David: WE NEED MORE SPRAY! MORE TOXIC SPRAY! GET 'IM! [giant caterpillar roars in the
background] Narrator: Unfortunately, yes. This is called
the "pesticide treadmill". As pests become immune, we have to use more and deadlier pesticide.
In the 1950s, pests destroyed about 7 percent of crops grown in the United States. Today,
pests devour closer to 13 percent of US crops. [giant caterpillar roars in the background]
David: Wait, that's not very convincing math. [giant caterpillar roars in the background]
Narrator: Not really, no. Let's also not forget that pesticides don't just impact
the target species, but anything they come in contact with.
Narrator: What's below you in the ground right now?
David: uh, Dinosaurs. Narrator: I mean, maybe, but how about earthworms?
Earthworms create tunnels through the soil which introduce water and air to the soil.
This is critical to the health of a field. However, the pesticide will kill the earthworms
too. David: Well, that doesn't make me very sad.
They don't even have faces. Narrator: Well it should make you sad, you
species-ist. I basically just told you the worms help your food grow. It's not just
worms though. Birds and other natural predators can be killed by the pesticides.
David: Well, that just sounds like we're going to need even MORE pesticides.
Narrator: Yep, without the predators to help, there will be even more pests that need to
be taken care of. Narrator: Even with all this pesticide, only
a small amount of the pesticide actually reaches the pests. Meaning most of it covers the plants
and the ground. When the rains come, it will wash the majority of the pesticides into the
rivers and streams, where it could eventually get in contact with us. This stuff can get
EVERYWHERE! David: Much as I hate to admit it, I'm not
sure I want to go around my house spraying pesticides anymore. What else could I do?
Narrator: Well, in your house, pests are like us, they need food and water to survive. [Sound
of David fixing his leaky faucet] So if you make sure that all of your food is secured
and put away, there's no reason for them to show up. You also want to eliminate any
puddles or leaky faucets so pests can't get a drink or lay their eggs in the water.
Narrator: Biological controls are also becoming very popular ways to control pests that typically
target only the pest itself. David: Yeah biological controls, yep,what,
Narrator: Biological controls use naturally occurring chemicals. These often target specific
organisms and occur naturally in the environment. Narrator: Many insects communicate and attract
each other using chemicals called "pheromones". Some traps use these pheromones to attract:
only one kind of insect. You can also plant cedar trees or use cedar chips in your garden.
The chemicals produced by these trees naturally repel many pests.
Narrator: You can also go the non-chemical route. Encourage predators to take up residence
in your yard. Birds and bats will eat thousands of pests during the day and night. Predatory
bugs like lacewings, ladybugs, mantids, dragonflies, and centipedes can target specific pests and
can be ordered commercially for release in your yard.
Narrator: Certain viruses or molds will only kill one species of pest. They can be applied
similarly to more traditional pesticides. Narrator: So, David, I think you've learned
a lot here. What do you think you're going to do about your penguin problem?
David: I think I'm going to follow your advice and try a chemical free strategy.
Narrator: Oh? Which is it? [penguin sounds][sound of penguins scattering
away] [sound of polar bear growling]