Pesticides are not as harmless as they look despite what their labels say. Here’s an overview of the dangers of pesticides, the truth about organic pesticides and responsible pest management and control.

History of pesticides

Mention was made of the use of pesticides long before the Renaissance in both the Western world and the Orient. From there and especially after the two world wars, the development of pesticides speeded up and today we are inundated with choices of pesticides branded as “synthetic”, “organic” and even environmentally “friendly”. However, according to Prof Gerhard Verdoorn, Director of BirdLife SA, “there is no such thing as an environmentally friendly pesticide; they are designed to kill and that is what they will do in varying degrees of efficacy”.

Impact of pesticides on humans

Over the years, exposure to pesticides has been thoroughly researched, studied and documented and the trial of evidence left is not a pretty one. Pesticide-induced diseases and conditions in both children and adults are well known and include the following broad categories:

    • Cancers such as leukaemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, brain, bone, breast, ovarian, prostate, testicular, liver cancer and cancers of the bladder, colon, eye, gallbladder, kidney/renal, larynx, lip, lungs, mouth, oesophagus, ovarian, pancreas, rectum, sinus/nose, stomach, thyroid, melanoma (a form of skin cancer), multiple myeloma (cancer of the plasma cells of bone marrow) and neuroblastoma (cancer of the nerve cells)
    • Common diseases such as asthma, diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease
    • Disruptions of the endocrine system disorders that impact the regulation of hormones, the reproductive system and development of the embryo or foetus
    • Developmental and learning disorders such as general developmental delays, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism
    • Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) disorder, also called environmental Illness, a medical condition characterised by the body’s inability to tolerate relatively low exposure to certain chemicals and/or environmental pollutants. For some who are badly affected this may mean almost complete isolation from the outside world.

Who is at risk?

Just about everybody is at risk due to exposure to pesticides in our homes, the air, water, soil and the food we eat. And, let’s not forget the many plants and animals that are also negatively affected and killed, and the eco systems and natural habitats that are destroyed. There are, however, people who are especially vulnerable and at risk, namely workers in the agricultural field and those working directly with the manufacture and handling of pesticides as well as children.

Children

Studies have shown that children up to adolescence are extremely vulnerable and susceptible to the toxic effects of chemicals on their physical and mental development. Children also take in proportionally greater amounts of toxic substances through their skins, lungs and intestinal tracts but their underdeveloped immune and nervous systems make it difficult to fight and rid their bodies of these toxins.

Household and garden pesticides and poisons

Not everyone is aware of the fact that most of the insecticides and household cleaners we use daily include poisons, toxins and other harmful ingredients. Take insecticides, for example. They are mostly nerve poisons that cause cumulative damage to the nervous system and liver of whoever swallows them, whether insects, pets or humans. Other harmful substances such as caustic soda, phosphates, naphthalene, phenols, ammonia and bleach are active ingredients in familiar household products such as oven cleaners, detergents, moth balls, disinfectants and household cleaners.

What you can do

Store poisonous substances responsibly to prevent accidents. Also, educate yourself and look for “greener” and more natural alternatives. The so-called organic pesticides that are strictly of natural origin are a better choice.

 

Sources

Owens, K. et.al. Wide range of diseases linked to pesticides. Retrieved from: http://www.beyondpesticides.org/health/pid-database.pdf
Pesticides in the house and garden. Retrieved from: http://www.botany.uwc.ac.za/envfacts/facts/poisons.htm
The problem with pesticides. 2012. Retrieved from: http://www.toxicsaction.org/problems-and-solutions/pesticides
Verdoorn, G. Will the real organic pesticide please stand up? Retrieved from: http://www.scienceinafrica.com/old/index.php?q=2004/september/organic.htm