How Insecticides Harm You

[Guest guest]

http://www.mercola.com/2005/may/19/insecticides.htm

 

How Insecticides Harm You

 

 

Evidence continues to highlight the danger of foods and vegetables

made with the help of insecticides, for a study has documented the

negative health effects these chemicals have on farmers who grow most

of the foods sold in grocery stores.

 

Research found that farmers who used agricultural insecticides

experienced increased neurological symptoms -- even after they stopped

using the products. And while some insecticides, like DDT, are no

longer on the market, others, including organophosphates and

organochlorines, still are.

 

Facts Don't Lie

 

A survey that involved some 19,000 farmers in North Carolina and Iowa

linked the use of insecticides to reports of reoccurring neurological

problems including: headaches, fatigue, insomnia, dizziness, nausea,

hand tremor and numbness.

 

Researchers examined questionnaires completed by farmers on their

exposure over a lifetime to herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and

fumigants, as well as their history of 23 neurological symptoms.

Farmers who experienced more than 10 symptoms during the year prior to

completing the study questionnaire were classified as having high

levels of symptoms.

 

What did researchers find?

 

*

 

Nearly 3,000 farmers were considered to have a high lifetime

exposure to insecticides -- meaning they used insecticides for more

than 500 days in their lives.

*

 

Nearly 800 of these farmers reported more than 10 neurological

symptoms, compared to those using insecticides fewer than 50 days.

*

 

Researchers did not find a significant association between

neurological symptoms and other chemicals (including herbicides or

fungicides) and found a weak association between fumigant exposure and

neurological symptoms.

 

Moreover, since the farmers had never been previously diagnosed with

pesticide poisoning or treated for any exposure to any pesticide

before, researchers were led to believe the symptoms were linked to

moderate lifetime exposure.

 

Environmental Health Perspectives April 15, 2005 (Free Full-Text Article)

 

Science Blog April 28, 2005

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

The results of this study may not be so surprising when you realize

that if insecticides kill animal life forms like insects, then they

might have the potential to harm other life forms, like humans.

Additionally, it is well established that insecticide exposure is a

potential contributing factor in the development of Parkinson 's disease.

 

So a key is to limit, as much as possible, your exposure to

insecticides. This includes avoiding using any of them in your home.

If you see ants in your home the answer isn't to go and grab a can of

Raid or call the exterminator. I have actually found that simple soap

and water to clean the trail the ants are going to works very nicely

-- virtually no cost or toxicity.

 

It is also important to avoid pesticides in your diet. That is why you

will want to consider eating organic foods.

 

Not only can choosing organic foods help decrease your risk of

Parkinson's disease, when compared to eating a diet of conventional

foods, studies have shown eating organic foods can also lead to:

 

* Improved immune system status.

* Better sleeping habits.

* A slimmer body.

* Higher vitamin E content in your blood.

 

Although you may think of conventionally raised vegetables and fruits

as the main culprits in terms of the problems pesticides can cause,

conventional animal products may be even more problematic.

 

The feed these animals are given is laced with the same chemicals and,

when it is eaten, the toxins can become concentrated in the animals'

fat tissue. That's why I feel it is particularly important to purchase

the highest quality animal products you can find, whenever possible.

 

Finally, with summer just around the corner, it's hard to mention

insects without recalling the bothersome and potentially dangerous

mosquito.

 

Safe, natural options for repelling these pesky critters are

available, and it is in your best interest to avoid any products

containing DEET.

 

Many studies have found DEET to have harmful effects. One study found

that DEET causes diffuse brain cell death and behavioral changes in

rats, and researchers suggest that humans may experience memory loss,

headache, weakness, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, tremors and

shortness of breath with heavy exposure to DEET and other insecticides.

 

Children are particularly at risk for such effects because their skin

more readily absorbs chemicals in the environment and chemicals more

potently affect their developing nervous systems.

 

 

Related Articles:

 

Parents - Throw out the Insecticides and Cancel the Exterminator

 

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites

 

How to Avoid Parkinson's Disease