Pest Control Hazards

The potential dangers of modern pest control insecticides was highlighted within Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1962), which emphasized the impact of pesticides such as DDT upon avian life. However, it is important to realize that these chemicals may also have adverse effects upon human life. Indeed, although DDT was banned in 1972, most people in the United States continue to retain DDT within their body, with unknown long-term effect. In particular, children are at risk because they have weaker immune systems and are more likely to come into contact with residue (for example, by crawling on the floor or putting objects in their mouth). 

According to Bassil (2007) there is a strong correlation between pesticide use and leukemia. Meanwhile, Hanke (2008) argues that pesticides also are a cause of birth defects and other prenatal disorders. According to Ascherio (2006), there is a definitive link between insecticides and Parkinson’s Disease as well as some autoimmune disorders. Similarly, Chen (2015) concluded that household insecticide use is a cause of blood cancer. Although there are several types of insecticides which pose a threat, as a persistent toxic chemical, of particular concern are pyrethrins, which are commonly found in household insecticides.

Within the United States, there is justifiable concern about the quality and strength of existing regulations. Following the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996, the EPA conducted a ten year study of insecticide impact, which has been criticized for ignoring the effect of insecticides upon neurological development (Phillips, 2006). Meanwhile, as Mascarelli (2011) notes, a number of new insecticides have been introduced to replace organophosphates, but little attention has been given to the health risks associated with these synthetic chemicals. 

Ultimately, it is clear that there is risk associated with the use of insecticides, either in agriculture, industry, or in the household. For years, traces in water runoff has seeped into the ground and oceans. In 1990, it was estimated that more than twenty-five million people a year experienced pesticide poisoning, with unknown long-term consequences. Meanwhile, as numerous studies have suggested, it is not necessary for symptoms of poisoning to be immediately apparent, and even trace amounts may have a severe long-term health impact.

Works Cited

Ascherio A, Chen H, Weisskopf MG, O'Reilly E, McCullough ML, Calle EE, Schwarzschild MA, Thun MJ.. "Pesticide exposure and risk for Parkinson's disease". Annals of Neurology 60 (2), 2006: 197–203

Bassil KL, Vakil C, Sanborn M, Cole DC, Kaur JS, Kerr KJ. "Cancer health effects of pesticides: systematic review". Can Fam Physician 53 (10), October 2007: 1704–11. 

Chen, M; Chang, CH; Tao, L; Lu, C. "Residential Exposure to Pesticide During Childhood and Childhood Cancers: A Meta-Analysis.". Pediatrics 136 (4), 2010: 719–29.

Gilden RC, Huffling K, Sattler B. "Pesticides and health risks". J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs (Review) 39 (1), 2010: 103–10.

Jeyaratnam J. "Acute pesticide poisoning: a major global health problem". World Health Stat Q 43 (3), 1990: 139–44.

Jurewicz J, Hanke W. "Prenatal and childhood exposure to pesticides and neurobehavioral development: review of epidemiological studies". Int J Occup Med Environ Health 21 (2), 2008: 121–32.

Mascarelli, A. "Growing Up with Pesticides". Science 341 (6147), 2013: 740–741.

Phillips ML. "Registering skepticism: does the EPA's pesticide review protect children?". ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 114 (10), 2006: A592–A595