INSECTICIDES AND YOUR HEALTH

Insecticide, any toxic substance that is used to kill insects. Such substances are used primarily to control pests that infest cultivated plants or to eliminate disease-carrying insects in specific areas. But most especially, insecticides are used mainly to kill bugs, flies, and so on, in the house or house environment.

Insecticides are a form of pesticide; other pesticides include herbicides (weed killers) and fungicides (fungus killers).

       POISONOUS INGREDIENTS CONTAINED IN INSECTICIDES

Insecticides contain chemicals that are dangerous when misapplied, spilled or disposed of improperly. Some of these chemicals include:

• Organochlorides • Pyrethrins • Carbamates

• Ryanoids • Boric acid • Organophosphates

• Nicotine • Paradichlorobenzenes (mothballs)

• Formanidines • Organotins • Spinosyns

• Pyrazoles • Pyridazinones • Quinazolines, and so on.

Most of these chemicals are generally not harmful, but can cause life-threatening breathing problems if breathed in.

          HEALTH HAZARDS OF USING INSECTICIDES

As effective and helpful as insecticides could be in terminating harmful insects and bugs, they also come along with their own serious health problems. Insecticides cause:

• Allergic Reactions:

An acute allergic reaction can occur within 24 hours of exposure, according to the University of Missouri Extension's website. Allergic reactions usually include difficulty breathing similar to an asthma attack, skin and nose irritation and watering of the eyes. Allergic reactions do not occur in all people who use pesticides, even in some people who are sensitive to chemicals.

• Chronic Poisoning:

A person who is exposed to small amounts of insecticides over a long period of time can experience the effects of chronic poisoning. This type of insecticide poisoning often causes physical and neurological effects such as nervousness, slow movement, twitching and a decline in good health. Chronic poisoning may be difficult to treat, especially if the source of the poisoning is not known.

• Insecticide Runoff:

Insecticide runoff occurs when chemical pesticides are sprayed onto eroding soil or when heavy rain falls right after an application. Insecticide runoff is dangerous to water supplies and local wildlife. A person who drinks water contaminated with insecticide from runoff can experience acute to chronic poisoning effects. Insecticide runoff can also negatively impact surrounding wildlife by killing or poisoning food supplies such as insects or plants. Excess runoff from insecticides may also kill fish.

• Cancer:

Some studies have suggested that insecticides could increase the risk of leukaemia, lymphoma, brain tumours, breast cancer and prostate cancer. But for now, the evidence is not strong enough to show a definite link.

• Ecosystem Disruption:

Nearly all insecticides have the potential to significantly alter ecosystems; many are toxic to humans; some concentrate along the food chain.

• Neurological Disorders:

Some evidences link insecticide exposure to worsened neurological outcomes, such as this: the risk of developing Parkinson's disease is 70% greater in those exposed to even low levels of pesticides. There are also concerns that long term exposures may increase the risk of dementia.

• Fertility Problems:

A number of insecticides have been associated with impaired fertility in males. Exposure could result in reduced fertility in males, genetic alterations in sperm, a reduced number of sperm, damage to germinal epithelium and altered hormone function.

For more information read INSECTICIDES POISONING.

It is best advised that you reduce your use of insecticides. And if you must use, follow the safety and application instructions on the packaging label of insecticides to prevent bad effects to yourself and the environment.

Please read TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN USING INSECTICIDES to know how best to make use of insecticides. Remember, your health is paramount.

RESOURCES:
WIKIPEDIA
NPIC
eHOW