Pesticides are a controversial topic. Some think they are necessary for our agriculture system. And others believe that they should be banned entirely.
In reality, both sides have valid arguments to support their positions. But what about pesticide exposure? Pesticides can be beneficial in certain situations, like saving harvestable produce from weeds and pests.
However, the benefits are only when used according to instructions and applied by an experienced professional. Otherwise, their exposure can be life-threatening. If you’re concerned about pesticide exposure, it’s worth paying attention until the end.
The Pesticide Market Is Huge
The pesticide market is booming. Pesticides are used in many places, including agriculture, home, and gardens. In fact, the worldwide home and garden pesticides market was worth USD 7.7 billion in 2021.
Pesticides are primarily used for agricultural and ornamental processes. All because of the world’s expanding population and rising demand for food sovereignty. With this increased use comes the potential of pesticide-related hazards, from skin rashes to deadly cancers.
Pesticide Exposure Is Worrisome
Pesticides are used on crops, lawns, gardens, and inside homes. This extent of exposure is dangerous to human health. Pesticides, for example, may be present in the food we consume, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Pesticides consumed or inhaled can trigger various health problems ranging from a skin allergy to hormonal imbalance and different types of cancer.
Children are more subject to chemical hazards since their bodies are still evolving. In addition, they tend to put things in their mouths even if those things aren’t meant for eating. In 2018 alone, there were 2140 reported cases of pesticide exposure. Mere inhalation accounted for 43% of instances, while topical contact accounted for 21%.
Pesticide exposure is so concerning that recently, in 2019, a class action lawsuit was filed against the weedkiller, Roundup. Roundup is a commonly used pesticide many homes and gardens rely on. The lawsuit claims that Roundup causes cancer and that the company deliberately did not inform the users about the potential harm.
Monsanto Co., acquired by Bayer AG in 2018, faced more than 11,200 lawsuits alleging that its glyphosate-based weedkillers cause cancer. With the recent Roundup lawsuit update, it’s evident that pesticides are dangerous and can cause serious illness. Let’s see how.
Effects on the Immune System
Pesticides have the potential to impair your healthy cells. This makes you sicker more frequently. It can also lead to allergies, autoimmune diseases, and even asthma. No wonder, worldwide cases of asthma reached 330 million in 2021. This is a sizeable part of the world’s total population.
Developmental Effects
Pesticides can cause developmental problems in children. Pregnant women exposed to pesticides have a higher risk of giving birth to babies with developmental disorders, including learning disabilities like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
An increasing amount of data ties pesticide exposure to pregnancy. When children are exposed to pesticides, they are more likely to develop autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cognitive impairments, and other neurodevelopmental abnormalities.
Hormonal Effects
Hormones are chemical messengers that endocrine glands secrete. They travel through the bloodstream. These hormones affect almost every tissue in the body, including bone, heart, skin, and reproductive organs. Hormone levels fluctuate in response to stress, diet, and temperature changes.
Pesticides disrupt hormone levels by mimicking or blocking their production or release in your body. This messes up your sleep cycle, period cycle, heart rate, sexual life, fertility, and more. It’s, therefore, imperative to steer clear of pesticides to preserve your bodily functions.
Neurological and Reproductive Effects
Pesticide exposure also leads to several neurological effects. These neurological effects can be passed down through generations and cause adult behavioral problems.
Due to the severe nature of these symptoms, it’s essential that expecting mothers steer clear of pesticide exposure during the three to eight weeks of their first trimester. If you live in a house or neighborhood with excessive pesticide usage, move away from the area until your baby is born.
Cancer-Causing Effects
Pesticides are known to cause cancer. The most common cancers it causes include non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia. The IARC has identified some pesticides as potential human carcinogenic. They include glyphosate, commonly used in herbicides like Roundup and XtendiMax.
Pesticides can also cause other types of cancer, including breast, lung, prostate, and kidney cancer. That’s why it’s essential to learn how to reduce your exposure to this chemical class that has been linked to severe health problems, especially if you have children.
Key Takeaways:
The most important takeaway from this article is that pesticides are toxic chemicals that negatively impact health. The EPA regulates pesticides in the United States, but it does not require companies to test them for safety before selling them.
Pesticide exposure can have many different effects on human health. These include dizziness, nausea, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and even death. Luckily, there are ways to limit pesticide exposure and preserve your health. These include: staying away from areas where pesticides are used.
It’s also wise to wear protective clothing and equipment when gardening or working in fields sprayed with pesticides. You must also clean your produce thoroughly before eating and wash your hands after handling fruits and vegetables.
The best alternative is moving to organic weed killers and foods. This is especially good for pregnant women, people with compromised immunity, and kids under five.
That’s all about the dangers of pesticide exposure. If you like this article and think it’s interesting, check out other blogs on our site. Happy exploring!
