Pesticides are vital tools in modern agriculture and public health, but their extensive use has raised serious ecological and health concerns. This review comprehensively examines the classification, environmental behavior, and health impacts of major pesticide groups including organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, and pyrethroids. Drawing from extensive literature and national data, we highlight pesticide usage patterns in India, residue levels in food crops, and associated chronic health effects such as cancer,

neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and respiratory illnesses. Special attention is given to residue detection in vegetables across Indian states and the carcinogenic mechanisms triggered by prolonged pesticide exposure. The review also explores regulatory measures and sustainable pest control alternatives like biopesticides and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Our findings underscore the urgency for policy reforms, improved farmer awareness, and environmentally safer pest control technologies to balance agricultural productivity with public and environmental health.

Highlights

• Insecticides dominate national consumption, with regional variations showing higher usage in states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh, while northeastern states report lower dependence due to agro-climatic condition.
• Multi-state studies reveal pesticide residues in vegetables, soil, and water, with some exceeding maximum residue limits—posing risks of neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, cancer, and respiratory illnesses, especially among vulnerable populations.