Pesticides are chemicals specifically formulated to repel, kill, or disrupt the reproduction of insects that harm crops and plants.
While they’re nowadays known to have negative effects on human health, what is their real extent of danger?
In this article, I’m sharing insights into pesticide exposure and its impact on our lives. Brace yourself, things will get horrific.
No Research Required
Under the umbrella of pesticides, you can find multiple categories depending on the effect of the chemical.
For example, insecticides that kill bugs, rodenticides that eliminate rodents (rat poison), pediculicides that eradicate lice, and fungicides that combat fungal growths.
There are also biocides, which are general-purpose chemicals.
To officially produce and sell a pesticide in the US, manufacturers/companies must register their chemicals with the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
While this may sound like good news as it provides a level of legitimacy, further digging shows that the EPA doesn’t have to do any research on its own on how these products might affect people’s health.
This means that the EPA evaluates information and research presented by the manufacturer/company without “double-checking” the validity of their findings independently.
Sure, this may be okay if the manufacturer/company offers unbiased and accurate reports, but let’s face it, most will probably downplay the potential health risks or even submit incomplete reports.
After all, they’re in it for the profit.
Exposure To Pesticides
Did you know that almost every person on the planet is exposed to a level of pesticides?
It’s Inevitable
Pesticides are present pretty much everywhere around us with a daily chance of exposure.
From your workplace to your house to your kids’ school to the local park or your own backyard, pesticides are probably there. They even exist in many of the foods we eat, including fruits and veggies.
Additionally, pesticides can get into the water we drink and use or stick to the air we breathe. They can also be found in the dirt and soot we walk on.
Both adults and kids are vulnerable to the inevitable exposure to pesticides. Children are especially at risk because they spend a lot of time in playgrounds, sports fields, and yards.
It’s Prolonged
It’s not just that you can get exposed to pesticides via breathing, eating, drinking, or touching, but this exposure is also persistent.
This is just another way to say that pesticides are stubborn. So not only can they easily make their way into your body, but they’re also good at staying where they are; whether in the environment or humans.
This explains why the pesticide known as DDT was detected in people in 2005 even though its use has been banned in the US since 1972!
Effects of Pesticides on Human Health
So how exactly do pesticides harm our health?
Well, the side effects of pesticide exposure can be sudden or long-term, and they can be very serious or even deadly.
What’s more, the dangers of pesticides don’t just affect adults, but also kids and even fetuses before birth.
Abnormal Fetal Development and Birth Defects
During pregnancy, the baby starts as a bunch of flexible cells waiting to be assigned a function, which is when the plain cells develop into specialized types of cells to make up organs.
When the pregnant mother is exposed to pesticides, the pollutants travel to the fetus through the placenta.
If the fetus is before the differentiation, chances of developmental issues are less likely as the cells can still work their way around the contaminants.
But, if the fetus has cells that have been “locked in”, health issues will probably follow exposure to pesticides. These can be dysfunctional organs, misshaped organs, or even death.
Acute (Sudden) Health Issues
If you’ve been around pesticides above certain levels, you may experience sudden and intense symptoms that indicate pesticide poisoning. These include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Stomachaches
- Itchy or irritated skin
- Watery and stinging eyes
Chronic Health Problems
These are health issues related to long-term exposure to pesticides, which commonly include:
Cancer
Since they’re chemicals, pesticides can end up causing cancer in the human body over long-term exposure. These include kidney, lung, blood, skin, and brain cancers.
Immunity Conditions
Research suggests that pesticides can make you more vulnerable to multiple allergies, chemical sensitivities, and hay fever.
Neurological Disorders
Your nervous system can fall victim to pesticide exposure, causing impaired cognitive and motor abilities. In children and babies, it can lead to neurodevelopmental issues and social behavioral issues.
Pesticide exposure is also linked to a higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.