Cleaning Products

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Personal Care

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Pesticides

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Home Maintenence

Insects

 

In 2002, 75% of U.S. households used at least one pesticide product indoors. Measurable levels of up to a dozen pesticides have been detected inside homes. Here are some facts from the EPA about pesticides:

• Pesticides are not just found in roach spray and ant bait! This category also includes disinfectants and fungicides in cleaning products.
• 80% of most people’s exposure to pesticides occurs indoors.
• Children are exposed to pesticides in the dirt and dust on floors and carpets.

Here are some examples of pesticide products you may be using at home:

 

Disinfectants – products designed to kill bacteria

• Examples:

  bleach, ammonia, kitchen and bathroom cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, disinfectant aerosols, tub/tile cleaners

 

Fungicides- products designed to kill fungi and mildew

• Examples:

  rose and flower sprays, treated seeds, paint additives that prevent mildew growth

 

Herbicides – products designed to kill unwanted plants

• Examples:

  weed killers, weed-and-feed lawn care products

Health Effects of Pesticides

 

The MWRA explains:

“Pesticides contain chemicals designed to kill. In most cases, the actual pesticide in a product amounts to less than ten percent of the contents, the rest being the inert ingredients that are often more toxic than the active chemicals. Despite this fact, federal law allows manufacturers to keep the identity of inert ingredients hidden as trade secrets.”

 

The Clean Water Fund says:

“A single mothball can cause seizures in a two-year-old within one hour of being eaten.”

As you can see, it is very important to be careful when using pesticides. It is especially important to keep all pesticide products away from children and pets. Here are some possible health effects associated with exposure to pesticides:

• Irritation to eyes, nose, throat

• Headaches, dizziness, weakness, tingling, nausea

• Interference with reproductive and growth hormones

• Links to childhood brain cancer, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Parkinson’s Disease

 

Sources:

“Pesticide exposure and risk for Parkinson's disease.” Annals of Neurology, June 2006

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/112660877/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

 

“Indoor Pesticide Use Increases Child Cancer Rates.” CANCER:89:11, 2000

http://www.chem-tox.com/pesticides/#indoorcancer

Rodents

 

In 2002, 75% of U.S. households used at least one pesticide product indoors. Measurable levels of up to a dozen pesticides have been detected inside homes. Here are some facts from the EPA about pesticides:

• Pesticides are not just found in roach spray and ant bait! This category also includes disinfectants and fungicides in cleaning products.
• 80% of most people’s exposure to pesticides occurs indoors.
• Children are exposed to pesticides in the dirt and dust on floors and carpets.

 

Here are some examples of pesticide products you may be using at home:

 

Disinfectants – products designed to kill bacteria

• Examples: bleach, ammonia, kitchen and bathroom cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, disinfectant aerosols, tub/tile cleaners

Fungicides- products designed to kill fungi and mildew

• Examples: rose and flower sprays, treated seeds, paint additives that prevent mildew growth

Herbicides – products designed to kill unwanted plants

• Examples: weed killers, weed-and-feed lawn care products

Health Effects of Pesticides

 

The MWRA explains:

“Pesticides contain chemicals designed to kill. In most cases, the actual pesticide in a product amounts to less than ten percent of the contents, the rest being the inert ingredients that are often more toxic than the active chemicals. Despite this fact, federal law allows manufacturers to keep the identity of inert ingredients hidden as trade secrets.”

 

The Clean Water Fund says:

“A single mothball can cause seizures in a two-year-old within one hour of being eaten.”

As you can see, it is very important to be careful when using pesticides. It is especially important to keep all pesticide products away from children and pets. Here are some possible health effects associated with exposure to pesticides:

• Irritation to eyes, nose, throat

• Headaches, dizziness, weakness, tingling, nausea

• Interference with reproductive and growth hormones

• Links to childhood brain cancer, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Parkinson’s Disease

Sources:

 

“Pesticide exposure and risk for Parkinson's disease.” Annals of Neurology, June 2006

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/112660877/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

 

“Indoor Pesticide Use Increases Child Cancer Rates.” CANCER:89:11, 2000

http://www.chem-tox.com/pesticides/#indoorcancer