"The Pesticide Handbook" was written out of frustration at the complete lack of a clear introduction to the pesticide issue. Existing literature arises almost exclusively from the agro-chemical industry and reflects its vested interest. Books have touched specific aspects of the pesticides issue, or offered a general critique, but have failed to give the basic information about what pesticides are and what they mean to contemporary society. This manual fills these gaps. It provides clear, objective answers to the basic questions which have been evaded. What are pesticides? Where, why and how are they used? What are the health risks associated with them? What legislation and regulations exist around them? The authors not only document the problems pesticides pose, they show ways of avoiding these problems, outline the realistic alternatives to pesticides, and explain the actions which can be taken to confront the dangers.