PESTICIDES

PESTICIDES

According to a recent survey, 75 percent of U.S. households
used at least one pesticide product indoors during the past year.
Products used most often are insecticides and disinfectants.
Another study suggests that 80 90 percent of most people s
exposure to pesticides occurs indoors and that measurable
levels of up to a dozen pesticides have been found in the air
inside homes. The amount of pesticides found in homes appears to
be greater than can be explained by recent pesticide use in those
households; other possible sources include contaminated soil or
dust that floats or is tracked in from outside, stored pesticide
containers, and household surfaces that collect and then release
the pesticides. Pesticides used in and around the home include
products to control insects (insecticides), termites
(termiticides), rodents (rodenticides), fungi (fungicides), and
microbes (disinfectants). They are sold as sprays, liquids,
sticks, powders, crystals, balls, and foggers.

In 1990, the American Association of Poison Control Centers
reported that some 79,000 children were involved in common
household pesticide poisonings or exposures. In households with
children under five years old, almost one half stored at least
one pesticide product within reach of children.

EPA registers pesticides for use and requires manufacturers to
put information on the label about when and how to use the
pesticide. It is important to remember that the "cide" in
pesticides means to kill. These products can be dangerous if
not used properly.

In addition to the active ingredient, pesticides are also made up
of ingredients that are used to carry the active agent. These
carrier agents are called "inerts" in pesticides because they are
not toxic to the targeted pest; nevertheless, some inerts are
capable of causing health problems.

Health Effects From Pesticides

Both the active and inert ingredients in pesticides can be
organic compounds; therefore, both could add to the levels of
airborne organics inside homes. Both types of ingredients can
case the effects discussed in this booklet under Household
Products. However, as with other household products, there is
insufficient understanding at present about what pesticide
concentrations are necessary to produce these effects.

Exposure to high levels of cyclodiene pesticides, commonly
associated with misapplication, has produced various symptoms,
including headaches, dizziness, muscle twitching, weakness,
tingling sensations, and nausea. In addition, EPA is concerned
that cyclodienes might cause long term damage to the liver and
the central nervous system, as well as an increased risk of
cancer.

There is no further sale or commercial use permitted for the
following cyclodiene or related pesticides: chlordane, aldrin,
dieldrin, and heptachlor. The only exception is the use of
heptachlor by utility companies to control fire ants in
underground cable boxes.

Reducing Exposure to Pesticides in Homes

Read the label and follow the directions. It is illegal to use
any pesticide in any manner inconsistent with the directions on
its label.

Unless you have had special training and are certified, never use
a pesticide that is restricted to use by state certified pest
control operators. Such pesticides are simply too dangerous for
application by a non certified person. Use only the pesticides
approved for use by the general public and then only in
recommended amounts; increasing the amount does not offer more
protection against pests and can be harmful to you and your
plants and pets.

Ventilate the area well after pesticide use.

Mix or dilute pesticides outdoors or in a well ventilated area
and only in the amounts that will be immediately needed. If
possible, take plants and pets outside when applying pesticides
to them.

Use nonchemical methods of pest control when possible.

Since pesticides can be found far from the site of their original
application, it is prudent to reduce the use of chemical
pesticides outdoors as well as indoors. Depending on the site and
pest to be controlled, one or more of the following steps can be
effective: use of biological pesticides, such as Bacillus
thuringiensis, for the control of gypsy moths; selection of
disease resistant plants; and frequent washing of indoor plants
and pets. Termite damage can be reduced or prevented by making
certain that wooden building materials do not come into direct
contact with the soil and by storing firewood away from the home.
By appropriately fertilizing, watering, and aerating lawns, the
need for chemical pesticide treatments of lawns can be
dramatically reduced.

If you decide to use a pest control company, choose one
carefully.

Ask for an inspection of your home and get a written control
program for evaluation before you sign a contract. The control
program should list specific names of pests to be controlled and
chemicals to be used; it should also reflect any of your safety
concerns. Insist on a proven record of competence and customer
satisfaction.

Dispose of unwanted pesticides safely.

If you have unused or partially used pesticide containers you
want to get rid of, dispose of them according to the directions
on the label or on special household hazardous waste collection
days. If there are no such collection days in your community,
work with others to organize them.

Keep exposure to moth repellents to a minimum.

One pesticide often found in the home is paradichlorobenzene, a
commonly used active ingredient in moth repellents. This chemical
is known to cause cancer in animals, but substantial scientific
uncertainty exists over the effects, if any, of long term human
exposure to paradichlorobenzene. EPA requires that products
containing paradichlorobenzene bear warnings such as avoid
breathing vapors to warn users of potential short term toxic
effects. Where possible, paradichlorobenzene, and items to be
protected against moths, should be placed in trunks or other
containers that can be stored in areas that are separately
ventilated from the home, such as attics and detached garages.
Paradichlorobenzene is also the key active ingredient in many air
fresheners (in fact, some labels for moth repellents recommend
that these same products be used as air fresheners or
deodorants). Proper ventilation and basic household cleanliness
will go a long way toward preventing unpleasant odors.

Call the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network (NPTN).

EPA sponsors the NPTN (800-858-PEST) to answer your questions
about pesticides and to provide selected EPA publications on
pesticides.