1. How Pesticide Exposure Could Harm Your Family
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Pesticides in Your Body
Pesticides are in the blood and urine of 95.6% of individuals age 6 and up, says the Center for Disease Control
Pesticides can get into our body when we eat treated fruits and vegetables
We also absorb pesticides from our environment via skin and respiration
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Poor Physical Development
Maternal pesticide exposure appears able to endanger a child’s physical development
Newborns with higher levels of prenatal exposure have lower birth weights and lengths
4-to-5-year-old children from areas that spray crops show weak physical stamina, eye-hand coordination, and short-term memory
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Poor Neurological Development
Researchers found that children with pesticide residue above the median level in their urine were twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD
In another study, children who had received prenatal exposure to pesticides showed developmental delays of up to two years
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Neurological Problems in Seniors
Farmers who apply pesticides have increased risk for neurological conditions including
Dementia
Alzheimer’s
Parkinson’s
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Depression
Pesticide applicators with highest cumulative exposure to pesticides have a significantly higher-than-normal rate of depression
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Cancer
Risk of childhood leukemia increases with both maternal prenatal exposure and childhood exposure to household pesticides
For adults, exposure to certain pesticides increases odds for melanoma, lung cancer, and breast cancer
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Diabetes
Farmers who apply pesticides have an up to doubled risk of developing diabetes
Pregnant women who have used pesticides in the past are more likely to develop gestational diabetes mellitus
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Repiratory Problems
Certain pesticides makes some individuals more likely to experience wheeze, allergies, and asthma
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Retinal Degeneration
Farmers who use certain fungicides and organochloride insecticides report above-average rates of retinal degeneration, the most common cause of vision loss among older adults
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Menstrual Problems
Some pesticides disrupt the synthesis and function of key hormones
For women who use the most hormonally active pesticides, longer cycles, missed periods, and intermenstrual bleeding are up to twice as common
These are associated with increased rates of infertility and miscarriage
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Tips to Reduce Exposure
Choose organic produce when possible
Wash and peel sprayed produce
Use natural pest deterrents in your home and garden
Remove your shoes at the door
Encourage neighbors, workplaces, and schools to avoid pesticide use
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Pick Up a Copy of the OHU
For more on the dangers of pesticides, please pick up a copy of the corresponding OHU handout.
Look to the OHU for citations to research on this topic.
Share the OHU handout with friends, family, co-workers, etc. Just let us know how many you need.
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