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HEALTH EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES: Are they Safe?
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Original Word Document
Fact Sheet: HEALTH EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES: Are they Safe?
Pesticides are poisons by definition, so it is not surprising that they are linked to numerous short-term and long-term health problems including, cancer, birth defects, learning and developmental disorders and immune deficiency. Exposure, even at low levels, can cause serious health impacts, especially compounded over time. Further, even when used according to directions, pesticides can harm people and wildlife. Testing and approval of pesticides by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not ensure they are safe. Additionally, product labels do not include all of the hazards associated with exposure to these chemicals. Studies used by the U.S. EPA, the World Health Organization and the state of California show hazards of pesticides that are not known to most consumers or applicators. With so many unknowns, reducing the amount of these poisons applied to our environment is the sensible approach based on a precautionary principle.
Children are especially vulnerable:
Ų There are critical periods in a child’s development when exposure to toxins can permanently alter biological systems.
Ų Children breathe, eat, and drink more for their size in volume than adults, thus taking in more pesticides proportionally than adults.
Ų Pesticides build up indoors in dust and accumulate in carpets from indoor treatments. Residue can also drift through open windows/doors, and be tracked-in by foot. Studies indicate that some pesticide residues remain intact and active for many years longer indoors than they would outdoors.
Ų Children’s behaviors, such as playing on the floor or on the lawn where pesticides are commonly applied, or putting objects in their mouths, increase their chances of exposure to these hazardous chemicals.
Many studies also link exposure to pesticides with ill-health effects and deaths of pets. Cats and dogs are very susceptible to the toxic effects of many chemicals and can suffer a variety of health problems as a result.
For more information on the subjects covered in this fact sheet, please contact Parents for a Safer Environment (PfSE). Our mission is to encourage the use of safer alternatives to pesticides, which fosters the healthy development of children and helps protect wildlife and the environment. We can be reached @ 925-283-4609.
References used for this literature are available at www.pfse.net.
Recommended websites on pesticides and their risks:
Pesticide Action Network: www.panna.org
US EPA: www.epa.gov/pesticides
Beyond Pesticides: www.beyondpesticides.org
Physicians for Social Responsibility: www.psr.org
1. From IPM policy paper of the Sedro-Wooley School District
2. Healthy Schools Campaign, “What are the Alternatives?”
3. Children’s Health Environmental Coalition, “Pest Control without Pesticides” by Bill Baue
4. Washington Toxics Coalition/Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, “Why Pass a Pest Management Policy”
5. EPA, Region IX, “Protecting Children from Pesticides”
6. Washington Toxics Coalition/Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, “Kids at Risk: Pesticides and Children’s Health”
Bay Area Water Pollution Prevention Agencies, “Finding a Company that can Prevent Pest Problems”

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HEALTH EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES: Are they Safe?
Home Background Pesticides Current Projects & Committees Environmental Hazards in Schools Press and News Releases Recipes for Safer Cleaning Recommended Businesses Environmental Topics Related Websites Donations Jobs Available Advisory Board	Original Word Document Fact Sheet: HEALTH EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES: Are they Safe? Pesticides are poisons by definition, so it is not surprising that they are linked to numerous short-term and long-term health problems including, cancer, birth defects, learning and developmental disorders and immune deficiency. Exposure, even at low levels, can cause serious health impacts, especially compounded over time. Further, even when used according to directions, pesticides can harm people and wildlife. Testing and approval of pesticides by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not ensure they are safe. Additionally, product labels do not include all of the hazards associated with exposure to these chemicals. Studies used by the U.S. EPA, the World Health Organization and the state of California show hazards of pesticides that are not known to most consumers or applicators. With so many unknowns, reducing the amount of these poisons applied to our environment is the sensible approach based on a precautionary principle. Children are especially vulnerable: Ų There are critical periods in a child’s development when exposure to toxins can permanently alter biological systems. Ų Children breathe, eat, and drink more for their size in volume than adults, thus taking in more pesticides proportionally than adults. Ų Pesticides build up indoors in dust and accumulate in carpets from indoor treatments. Residue can also drift through open windows/doors, and be tracked-in by foot. Studies indicate that some pesticide residues remain intact and active for many years longer indoors than they would outdoors. Ų Children’s behaviors, such as playing on the floor or on the lawn where pesticides are commonly applied, or putting objects in their mouths, increase their chances of exposure to these hazardous chemicals. Many studies also link exposure to pesticides with ill-health effects and deaths of pets. Cats and dogs are very susceptible to the toxic effects of many chemicals and can suffer a variety of health problems as a result. For more information on the subjects covered in this fact sheet, please contact Parents for a Safer Environment (PfSE). Our mission is to encourage the use of safer alternatives to pesticides, which fosters the healthy development of children and helps protect wildlife and the environment. We can be reached @ 925-283-4609. References used for this literature are available at www.pfse.net. Recommended websites on pesticides and their risks: Pesticide Action Network: www.panna.org US EPA: www.epa.gov/pesticides Beyond Pesticides: www.beyondpesticides.org Physicians for Social Responsibility: www.psr.org 1. From IPM policy paper of the Sedro-Wooley School District 2. Healthy Schools Campaign, “What are the Alternatives?” 3. Children’s Health Environmental Coalition, “Pest Control without Pesticides” by Bill Baue 4. Washington Toxics Coalition/Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, “Why Pass a Pest Management Policy” 5. EPA, Region IX, “Protecting Children from Pesticides” 6. Washington Toxics Coalition/Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, “Kids at Risk: Pesticides and Children’s Health” Bay Area Water Pollution Prevention Agencies, “Finding a Company that can Prevent Pest Problems”
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