What are the key environmental degradation areas of concern to the author of Silent Springs?

A major theme in the novel is the idea that humans and society is general is not aware if the risks that come with using dangerous chemicals in the lands from where food comes from. The government and the pesticide manufacturers pushed on numerous times for a more extensive use of pesticides in the fields and they ignored time and time the risk they imposed. Even after it was proven that there is a connection between pesticide use, cancer in humans and the death of various animal species, the pesticide manufacturers refused to admit their fault and give up using pesticides. In this case, the need for monetary gain won over the need to protect the environment and the health of the people living in the places treated with pesticides.