**Author details**

The reagents kits and the equipment necessary to perform immunoassays are commer‐ cially available and rely on fluorescent, chemiluminescent or other detection methods. Immunoassays can detect a wide range of compounds including drugs, proteins, and hormones; they can also identify and quantify the presence of pesticides residues in

Regarding biosensors, organisms such as *Drosophila melanogaster* fly species may aid the detection of pesticides in food samples and other matrixes such as water, soil, plants, and animal tissue. This test model is advantageous, because these insects have low tolerance to toxic substances with insecticidal character, besides being experimental models of easy creation, manipulation, and maintenance. In addition, they require few financial resources and can remain under laboratory conditions. However, this method only serves to detect the presence of pesticides, but it cannot identify the detected compound. Therefore, after using this probe, the analyst has to employ a chromatographic, for example, to identify the group of

The chapter begins with an introduction about pesticides, citing the Second World War and the publication of the book "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson. Even in the introduction, it is mentioned the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and the risks and benefits of pesticides use.

Subsequently, the chapter presents the topic "physicochemical properties and stages of intoxication." This topic cites the physicochemical properties, the exposure, toxicokinet‐ ic, toxicodynamic and clinical phase of organophosphorous, carbamates, organochlor‐ ines, pyrethrins and pyrethroids, triazines, phenoxy derivatives, dipyridyl derivatives, glycine derivatives, dithiocarbamates, and others. In the latter group, the nanopesti‐

The chapter also discusses the pesticides as inducers of oxidative stress and endocrine disruptors action of two important issues. Beyond, adress three topics differences: pestidas and human health, pesticides and environmental health, and methods of detection of these compounds. In the first, there are examples of intoxication from occupational, accidental and intentional exposure, besides decontamination methods. The second topic shows how a pesticide reaches the environment, and how it behaves. In other words, if hits the water, soil, and / or are biodegraded. Finally, the third topic addresses methods of detection of pesticides. Gas chromatography (GC), Liquid Chromatography (LC), and Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) constitute physicochemical methods. Immunoassays and biosensors are methods related to

Currently, there is a pursuit of a sustainable society, generating huge concern for human health just like the environment, this occurs due to action/persistence of pesticides in the environ‐ ment, as well as its toxic effects to humans and other living beings. This pursuit for a healthier society tries to combat the toxic effects of pesticides, as they have caused a large reduction in

various samples such as natural water, food, and blood, among others [129].

pesticides in that sample [123].

222 Toxicology Studies - Cells, Drugs and Environment

cides are mentioned.

the biological factor.

**8. Summary of important points and perspectives**

Mariana Furio Franco Bernardes1 , Murilo Pazin1 , Lilian Cristina Pereira1 and Daniel Junqueira Dorta2

1 Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto - FCFRP, Universidade de São Paulo- USP, Brazil

2 Departamento de Química, Faculdade Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto-FFCLRP, Universidade de São Paulo – USP, Brazil
