The terms
“Pesticides” refers to many chemicals including
herbicides, insecticides and fungicides and are designed to kill
certain types of pest. These include insects, plants, fungi, moulds and
rodents.
Pesticides are used in modern farming on fruit and vegetables
to increase yields and are thought to increase produce quality.
However, pesticides are toxic chemicals designed to kill agricultural
pests but can also cause problems with human health if exposed to in
large amounts. Aldicarb used on potatoes, Carbendazim used on cereals,
oilseed rape, fruit and vegetables, Chlormequat used on wheat, rye,
oats, flowers, pears, almonds and tomatoes, Chlorothalonil used to kill
fungal disease in crops, Chlorpyrifos used on apples, Pirimiphos-methyl
used in cereal based infant food, Trifluralin used to kill weeds in
fruit, vegetables and arable crops and Vinclozolin used peas, vines,
oilseed rape and other fruit and vegetables to kill plant disease are
all harmful to human health and the environment.
I feel that because I
eat a lot of these types of food that I have a great potential to be
affected by the toxic chemicals used in these pesticides. Many organ
systems such as the nervous and the brain can be subtly or permanently
damaged in childhood. The endocrine system is more sensitive to
pesticides and it is now known that many pesticides are
“endocrine disrupters” which can affect the hormone
balance within the body.
Pesticides
are not only used in farming but we also use them within our homes and
gardens. We use them on our lawns to kill weeds such as clover and
dandelions and on our flowerbeds to kill insect pests such as greenfly.
In our homes we use them in “fly killer sprays” to
kill house flies and in insecticides to kill wood boring insects such
as woodworm. Children’s immune systems are more susceptible
to these pesticides as they spend more time playing in the garden and
in the home. Children are also susceptible to catching head lice which
is treated with shampoo with pesticides within them.
To protect
children from pesticides it is best to feed them organically or
ecologically grown food especially those foods that are produced with
the aid of high amounts of pesticides. Wash and peel all fruits and
vegetables especially if waxed, wash in mild dish detergent or diluted
vinegar. Cut out the stork end of fruit as this funnel shape of the
fruit is where pesticides are concentrated most.
Buy locally grown food
as this has not been sprayed for shipment or export. Pesticide residues
are also found in meat and diary foods so it is best to buy organic.
Make sure that children’s play areas are free from
pesticides. If children have head lice than use non-chemical shampoo,
shampooing with tea-tree oil can help with head lice.
Avoid using
pesticides to deal with pets fleas use herbal shampoos and vacuum pets
bedding. Use all-natural insect repellent as an alternative to
pesticide based repellent. Avoid using pressure treated wood within the
home as all pressure treated wood contains pesticides. Encourage
schools to use natural native plants within their playing fields and
yards to reduce the use of pesticides. Native plants are hardier to
pests than introduced plants species. Make sure children wash their
hands after playing in school play areas which tend to use pesticides.
A lot of
people are exposed to pesticides within their working environment.
Farmers, pesticide applicators and workers in pesticides manufactures
are the occupations that we tend to think of first but forestry
employees, horticultural workers, textile workers, airline crews,
military personnel, park workers, food service workers, golf course
employees, veterinarians and employees of electrical utilities all come
in contact with pesticides within their working environment. Exposure
to pesticides within a working environment can cause cancer, brain
tumours, stillbirths, birth defects, spontaneous abortions, and
neurological and psychiatric effects. Workers should wear proper
protective clothing when exposed to pesticides.
Urban lawns
and gardens, public parks, golf courses, playing fields and road verges
are sprayed with pesticides more than agricultural land. Indoors,
pesticides are used to spray cockroaches, fleas, and other pests within
homes, schools, hospitals, office buildings, supermarkets, stores,
arenas and food storage buildings increasing exposure especially if the
building is poorly ventilated.
To reduce
the use of pesticides within cities, indoors and in outside spaces it
is best to avoid using pesticides on lawns, there are many books on
organic gardening, avoid outside spaces that have been recently
sprayed, whilst playing golf keep balls and tees away from the mouth
and wash hands and shoes after playing the game, if pets have a flea
problem use herbal shampoos and collars plus avoidance methods such as
flea combs, to combat insects within the home, keep it clean, avoid
leaving food out, fill in cracks and gaps where they tend to like to
live and research natural ways of insect control.
To conclude,
to reduce the risk from pesticides eat organically and ecologically
grown food, wash and peel vegetables and fruit, grow your own food,
avoid fatty foods or trim fat from meat as persistent pesticides are
stored in fatty tissue, cook vegetables rather than eat them raw all
the time, cook meat and chicken thoroughly, garden in a non-chemical
way without pesticides, avoid using chemical and pesticide based head
lice shampoos, encourage schools to use non-pesticide methods within
their environment, keep away from areas that have been freshly sprayed
with pesticides and if your job involves exposure to pesticides make
sure you are wearing proper protective clothing.
Article
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