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Pesticides
Pesticides include a range of chemicals, like herbicides,
fungicides, and general disinfectants. Many household products
contain pesticides, such as disinfectants, cleansers, mildew
removers, and ant and roach sprays.
Primary uses of pesticides include:
- residential lawns and gardens
- parks, schools, and other recreational areas
- golf courses
- wood preservation
- road, highway, and utility right-of-ways
- public and school transportation vehicles
- mosquito and other flying insects
- rodent control
- agriculture
- floodplain areas
- nurseries
- fire ants and other introduced species
While accurate information on pesticide use in the Houston region
is difficult if not impossible to obtain, available information
suggests that the eight-county Houston region has a per capita use
of pesticides higher than that of most metropolitan areas.
Why is exposure to pesticides bad?
Pesticides can cause health problems, such as birth defects,
nerve damage, cancer, and other effects that might occur over a long
period of time. These effects depend on how toxic the pesticide is
and how much of it is consumed.
Children are particularly vulnerable to pesticides because their
bodies are immature and rapidly growing, and they do not have a
fully developed immune system, liver or kidneys to help protect them
from the damaging effects of many pesticides. They are also
particularly vulnerable due to their proximity to the ground, where
indoor and outdoor pesticides are most concentrated.
Where can I learn more?
- National
Pesticide Information Center: a cooperative effort between
Oregon State University and the United States Environmental
Protection Agency.
-
Beyond Pesticides:
an advocacy organization with information about least toxic alternatives to pesticides.
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Pesticide Education Center: an advocacy organization with
in-depth background information about consumer pesticide safety
and human health studies.
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