Pesticides are found in the foods we eat, the air we breathe, the household products we use, and even the carpeting we walk on. Every day, most of us are exposed to pesticides in some way. Unfortunately, the dangerous chemicals found in some pesticides can cause adverse health effects. When pesticides are used in large amounts or over extended periods of time, they might pose greater risks to humans. Because of these facts, it is important for us to be aware of the presence of pesticides in our environment, to do what we can to limit our exposure, to practice safe techniques when using pesticides, and to choose safer or non-chemical methods or products whenever possible.
Newer Is Safer
Pesticides are used to control “pests,” such as insects, weeds, rodents, and bacteria. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates pesticides to make sure that products will not pose “unreasonable risks to human health or the environment.” According to the EPA, older pesticide products that were registered a long time ago might be more dangerous than newer products. These older products are being re-studied to assess their safety. The EPA also sets limits on the amount of pesticides that can be used on foods during the growing and harvesting process, and sets standards that dictates the maximum exposure workers should have to pesticides. The EPA continues raise and monitor their standards as well as encourage the creation of safer products that are less likely to harm our health.
Here are a few tips on how to reduce pests, limit use of and exposure to pesticides, and handle pesticides safely, as shared in the EPA’s document entitled “Citizen’s Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety”:
- Do what you can to keep pests from being attracted to your home environment by not leaving food out in the open in your kitchen. Always put food in sealed containers or in the refrigerator.
- Eliminate freestanding water in and around your home that can attract unwanted insects.
- Make sure doors to the house are sealed and screens are in good shape to help keep out unwanted pests, such as mice, rats, or insects.
- Keep garbage in sealed containers.
- Be willing to let a few weeds grow in your lawn and garden and avoid overuse of pesticides.
- Use mulch in gardens to help reduce weeds.
- Think of non-chemical ways to control pests, such as using traps for rodents.
- If you need to use chemical pesticides, be sure to read the labels, follow the directions, and use the product correctly. Read any danger, warning, or precautionary sections on the label. Store the product as directed and safely away from infants, children, and pets. Safely dispose of pesticides as directed.
For many more details on all of these issues, see the complete EPA guide, which can be accessed at http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/Publications/Cit_Guide/citguide.pdf.
Pay Attention!
Pesticides are present in our environment but are often unseen. Get in the habit of being aware of when and where you use pesticides – and when and where others use pesticides around you. Reassess your need to use chemicals when dealing with pests. And explore non-toxic solutions that may exist. Reducing or eliminating the need for pesticides might very well help protect our health and the health of the environment. |
