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The Many Ways We are
Exposed to Pesticides
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Contrary to popular belief, the major way
that pesticides get into your body is not from breathing
vapors while spraying pesticides but through your skin from
contact with contaminated dust13. You do inhale
pesticides but in lesser amounts than what goes through the skin.
Pesticides attach to dust. Touching contaminated dust is the major
pathway. This may not sound too bad until you consider that EPA studies
have show that urban soils have higher levels of pesticides than
agricultural areas14. Pesticides in dust attach to the bottom
of shoes and are tracked into the house. Since pets and children spend
more time in contact with floors, carpets and other dusty surfaces, they
are potentially exposed more often. When your kids hug the dog they are
exposed to pesticides from the yard.
Pesticides can remain active in the air for days or weeks. Some last up
to twenty years.15 As much as 85-90% of pesticides that are
sprayed drift off target. In commercial agriculture, as little as
one-tenth of 1% of pesticides may reach target. In one study, a
pesticide in a 1% formulation was detected four rooms away from the site
of application and the active ingredient remained present for more than
21 days16.
Furnace duct work may be a major source of contaminated dust and vapors
from areas where pesticides are sprayed such as crawlspaces. Furnace
ductwork leaks 30% on average. This means that at least some portion of
the air inside in a home with duct work in the crawlspace comes from the
crawlspace where pesticides were likely applied.
If you’re a golfer it may be in your best interest to get your course to
reduce the use of pesticides. Golfers are coming down with some unusual
diseases in recent times. One study found mortality rates for golf
course superintendents was high for four cancer types - brain,
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate, and large intestine - a pattern
similar to that found with workers in occupations exposed to pesticides17.
Most people know that pest control and lawn and garden care products
contain pesticides. Few people are aware of the following sources of
pesticide exposure:
- Kitchen and bathroom paint with
anti-microbials and fungicides
- Carpets and rugs treated by the
manufacturer with insecticides
- Cotton and wool bedding are often
mothproofed.
- Wood furniture may be treated for
termites for storage and shipping.
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Copyright © 2014-2017 Healthy Living Spaces LLC.
All rights reserved.
877-992-9904
Revised:
July 05, 2017.
Information in this document is subject to
change without notice.
Other products and
companies referred to herein are trademarks or
registered trademarks
of their
respective companies or trademark holders. |
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