What do we know about the potential health effects of pesticides commonly used in and around our homes?

Answer 1

Pesticides may cause acute health effects (like skin irritation or respiratory distress) which occur shortly after exposure and chronic health effects (like cancer or reproductive problems) which may not be apparent until months or years after exposure. Two pesticides commonly used in lawn care, maneb and chlorthalonil, have been identified by the EPA as probable carcinogens. Carbaryl and chlorthaldimethyl, also commonly used in lawn care, are classified as possible carcinogens by EPA. 2,4-D, a widely used herbicide, may also be carcinogenic, based upon studies by the National Cancer Institute. The EPA is concerned about the risk of cancer posed by a number of other lawn care pesticides. For at least three lawn care pesticides, including dicamba, malathion, and methoxychlor, carcinogenicity studies requested from the manufacturers have either not yet been submitted or have not yet been reviewed to the EPA's satisfaction. Some of these and other pesticides have already been found to cause long-term health effects in laboratory animals or humans, including birth defects, gene mutations, nervous system damage or liver and kidney damage. The EPA has also requested additional studies on long-term health effects for numerous lawn care pesticides. Several may also cause short-term damage to the central nervous system of humans. The EPA has also identified lawn care pesticides that cause more immediate health effects such as eye, skin or throat irritation in humans or animals.

Several chemicals used as active ingredients in insecticide products for indoor use are toxic to the nervous system. These include chlorpyrifos (Dursban), phoxim (Baythion), n-methyl carbamate (Propoxur), and diazinon. EPA lists propoxur as a probable human carcinogen and dichlorvos (a poison used in pest strips) and carbaryl (used for fleas and ticks on pets) as possible human carcinogens. Other adverse effects associated with the active ingredients in household pesticides include birth defects, liver and kidney damage and irritation of the skin, eyes, nose throat, lungs and digestive system. As for the adverse effects which may be caused or contributed to by the "inert" ingredients in pesticides, we can only wonder. These ingredients are generally not identified on the product label and their identity is treated as confidential business information by EPA.

Answer 2

We know to use caution. Only use the pesticide when needed, and always follow label directions and warnings. When pesticides are used properly, they are safe and effective. Make sure you have the proper safety equipment before applying, and keep a copy of the label.

Answer 3

A good website to find out is this one

http://extoxnet.orst.edu/ghindex.html

It has it by individual pesticides if you want more information. Unfortunately, it doesn't have some of the newer pesticides such as Fipronil, although it does talk about many common ones.