Pesticide Exposure

Pesticides are toxins used to kill insects, rodents, and other pests, but few of them target specific creatures. A good portion of these toxins work on the human body in much the same way as they do on the pests they are formulated to kill. People are exposed to pesticides every day, and improper use or disposal can elevate exposure to dangerous levels.

Pests

Pesticides are more than just insecticides. They are used to kill:

* Insects
* Rodents
* Weeds
* Bacteria
* Viruses
* Fungi
* Prions

"Pest" is not a biological classification, it is a social label, and because of this, pesticides kill more non-pests than pests. A pesticide designed to kill rats will kill hamsters, cats, dogs, and even children.

How people are exposed to harmful levels of pesticides

Certain jobs, such as farming, put workers at an elevated risk. The general public is exposed to pesticides in less obvious ways, often due to businesses mishandling the toxic substances. People are exposed to pesticides through:

* Food
* Indoor and outdoor air
* Contaminated soil
* Agricultural run-off
* Contaminated water table

If you live downstream or downwind from agricultural land, especially corporate mega-farms, you are at a high risk for pesticide exposure.

The dangers of pesticides

Pesticides kill pests in a number of ways. Many act on the nervous system, while others work on the reproductive systems of the pests they are meant to destroy. The effects on humans can be immediate poisoning, or more long term consequences such as:

* Cancer
* Nerve damage
* Hormonal problems
* Parkinsons disease
* Developmental problems
* Brain damage
* Birth damage
* Childhood cancers

Birth defects linked to pesticides include:

* Heart defects
* Neural tube defects
* Oral clefts
* Undeveloped jaws
* Limb defects
* Missing limbs
* Most of the 26 commonly-used pesticides have also caused decreased pregnancy success in laboratory tests. Miscarriages, a reduction in the number of living offspring, and reduced birth weights are common problems.

Pesticides are widely used throughout the United States in non-agricultural settings, including inside homes, outside homes, and in offices, schools, and recreational areas. Over 100 million pounds of pesticides are applied on lawns alone every year. The use of lawn care pesticides is increasing at about 5 to 8 percent annually. In fact, four times as many pesticides are used on home lawns as are used to grow food crops.

All pesticide products - whether used in lawn care, household fumigation, pet care or in personal-care products like insect repellents - contain substantial amounts of inert ingredients that are harmful to your health. Small amounts of some pesticides can cause eye and skin irritations, damage to the nervous, hormonal and immune systems, cancer, and even death. Despite this, large quantities of pesticides are used in the United States every year.

In all pesticide exposure cases it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the incident in question, and to enable physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate any injuries. If you or a loved one is a victim of injury caused by a toxic substance, call Williams & Moore, P.A. now at (866) 258-6700. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds.