A+-+Why+are+Pesticides+Harmful+to+Human+Health?

Why are Pesticides Harmful to Human Health? Richard Chan = What are pesticides? = A pesticide is any product, device, organism, substance or thing that is manufactured, represented, sold or used as a means for directly or indirectly controlling, preventing, destroying, mitigating, attracting or repelling any pest.

Pesticides can include: = What are organophosphates? = A small number of insect killers (insecticides) are organophosphates. These chemicals kill insects by disrupting their brains and nervous systems. Commonly used organophosphates have included parathion, malathion, methyl parathion, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, dichlorvos, phosmet, tetrachlorvinphos, and azinphos methyl. They became more common in use when organochlorine insecticides were banned in 1970s Unfortunately, these chemicals also can harm the brains and nervous systems of animals and humans. Organophosphate pesticides irreversibly inactivate acetylcholinesterase, which is a key enzyme in the nervous system in insects, humans, and many other animals. = How they could affect your health = By design, pesticides are toxic to living organisms. Some pesticides are selective in that they will kill only a specific type of pest. For example, some herbicides work by interfering with photosynthesis, a process that only occurs in plants. For this reason, these herbicides will not affect humans or other animals. However, other pesticides are not as selective, and can be harmful to other organisms such as butterflies or humans.
 * herbicides, which are used against weeds
 * insecticides, which are used against bugs
 * fungicides and antimicrobial agents, which are used against fungus and other micro organisms
 * material and wood preservatives
 * animal and insect repellents
 * insect- and rodent-controlling devices, such as mosquito zappers and mouse traps
 * algicides, which can be used to control algae in pools and spas

Pesticides contain both "active" and "inactive" ingredients. The active ingredients are designed to kill the pests, while the inactive ingredients are added to dilute or dissolve the mixture in order to make it easier to use. By law, companies who make pesticides have to list the active ingredients on the label, but not all inactive ingredients have to be listed. Some inactive ingredients found in pesticides can be more harmful to the health of humans, pets or other organisms than the active ingredient.

At high levels of exposure, pesticides are toxic, and improperly stored pesticide products can be a source of accidental poisoning in people. Symptoms of poisoning include: Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Numbness, Muscle fatigue, Blurry vision, Rapid pulse

Lower levels of exposure to pesticides can also produce symptoms, including: Diarrhea, rash, fever, headache, respiratory difficulties and allergic skin reactions and swelling of mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, throat, and mouth

Possible long-term health effects of pesticide exposure may include: Cancer, Acute and chronic injury to the nervous system, Neuromuscular and mental deficits, Lung damage, Reproductive problems such as infertility or hormonal interference, Compromised immune system

__ScienceDaily (in the US)__ A team of scientists from the University of Montreal and Harvard University has discovered that exposure to organophosphate pesticides may be associated with increased risk of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children as traces of pesticides were found in urine samples.

**How do children come into contact with pesticides?**
= Prevention = April 22, 2009, the Government of Ontario issued a ban on cosmetic pesticides Cosmetic pesticides are chemical or biological substances used to destroy living things such as: insects (insecticides), plants (herbicides), and fungi (fungicides) for the purpose of enhancing the appearance of a lawn or garden. They are sold commonly as sprays, liquids, powders or combined with chemical fertilizers.
 * By playing on lawns or in gardens where cosmetic pesticides have been used to control weeds and insects
 * Through the application of bug spray or other personal insect repellants
 * Through pet flea and tick products
 * Through application of some head lice treatments containing lindane
 * Through pesticides being tracked into the home or child care setting on the bottom of shoes
 * Through transfer of pesticides from the parental workplace either in production, or application (either cosmetic or agricultural).

In the long term, pesticides are a concern. They cannot be properly tested for long-term adverse health effects on humans from foetal stage to old age. The mix of chemicals to which we are exposed or the varied responses of humans can't be replicated under laboratory conditions. It stands to reason that if pesticides can kill living things, then pesticides may harm us.

NPIC fact sheets help answer questions that are commonly asked by the general public about pesticides and pesticide related topics. [] For more information on Pesticide use in Ontario []

Health Effects of Pesticides. (2002). //Environmental Education Curriculum Provided at Kids for Saving Earth (KSE)//. Retrieved October 18, 2010, from http://www.kidsforsavingearth.org/mnchec/articles/pesticides.htm Ludvik, G. (2008). AccessScience | Encyclopedia Article | Insecticide. //McGraw-Hill's AccessScience Encyclopedia of Science & Technology Online//. Retrieved October 19, 2010, from http://www.accessscience.com/content.aspx?searchStr=pesticides+organophosphate&id=346200 ORGANOPHOSPHATES. (2005, February 15). //Illinois Department of Public Health Home Page//. Retrieved October 16, 2010, from http://www.idph.state.il.us/Bioterrorism/factsheets/organophosphate.htm Pesticides. (2002). //Welcome | CCCF-FCSGE//. Retrieved October 17, 2010, from http://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/healthy-spaces/pesticides_en.php University of Montreal (2010, May 17). Pesticide exposure may contribute to ADHD, study finds. //ScienceDaily//. Retrieved October 11, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2010/05/100517132846.htm Hewak, J. (2000). Pesticides. //Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment//. Retrieved October 20, 2010, from http://www.cape.ca/toxics/pesticides.html Pesticides : Canadian Lung Association. (2008, May 1). //Canadian Lung Association - fighting lung disease for over 100 years//. Retrieved October 27, 2010, from http://www.lung.ca/protect-protegez/pollution-pollution/outdoor-exterior/pesticides-pesticides_e.php White, A. (2009). Organic & Natural Pest Control. //Organic Pesticides//. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from http://www.ontarioprofessionals.com/organic.htm