Pesticides are chemicals used to prevent pests from damaging crops, trees, lawns, and gardens. They are commonly used in homes and gardens because they are effective and relatively inexpensive. However, pesticides can also be dangerous to humans if used incorrectly or in excess. When pesticides are used indoors, they can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and can also accumulate in household dust. An estimated 2 million American homes use pesticides—nearly half of them on gardens and lawns—and about 70% of these households have children under the age of 18. In households where pesticides are used regularly, there is a higher risk of pesticide exposure for children who play, crawl, and explore in and around the house. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the risk of pesticide exposure in your home and protect your family members from potential health hazards…
Pesticide labels are required to list the product name, product type, and the active ingredients. Knowing the active ingredients in the products you use allows you to identify those that pose a higher risk of exposure. The EPA’s Pesticide Data Program (PDP) provides a free searchable database of pesticide labels that includes the active ingredients and the product type. You can search by product name, product type, or pesticide group to find information on specific products. The PDP also provides a risk assessment for each product that includes information on the toxicity of the pesticide, how it is applied, and the exposure potential.
You can reduce your pesticide exposure by wearing gloves and protective clothing when applying pesticides. Wearing gloves and long sleeves that cover your hands and arms can significantly reduce your exposure to pesticides.If you have to apply pesticides while wearing long pants, avoid touching your skin as much as possible. When you’re finished, change out of your protective clothing as soon as possible.Wash your hands and arms thoroughly with soap and water before eating or handling food, and before entering your home or garden.Wash your clothing and shoes separately from your skin, hair, and nails to avoid transferring pesticides to other fabrics.
When pesticides are used indoors, they can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and can also accumulate in household dust. These chemicals can be found in the air, on floors, fabrics, and other household surfaces.Cleaning up after pesticide use can help reduce your exposure to pesticides.Wash your hands frequently to reduce the amount of pesticides on your skin and in your home.Wash fabrics and other materials that come in contact with pesticides in hot water.Wash and air dry your clothing separately from fabrics and other materials that come in contact with pesticides.
Organic pesticides are not as toxic to humans, pets, and wildlife as conventional pesticides.Organic pesticides are less likely to be absorbed through the skin, and they break down more quickly.You may be able to avoid using pesticides in your garden or home altogether by planting pest-resistant plants and using other pest-control methods.If you decide to use pesticides, choose organic pesticides whenever possible.Organic pesticides are regulated by the EPA as well as state agencies, so you can be sure they are safe to use around children and pets.You can also use pesticides responsibly by following these guidelines: Use pesticides only when necessary. Avoid the use of pesticides in and around food-growing areas. Follow the instructions on the pesticide label and use the right amount of pesticide for the job.
Fences can help keep pesticides away from your garden, house, and family.Fences can also help keep children and pets safely away from pesticides.You can also use screens to protect plants, food gardens, and other crops from pesticides.Using a repellent on plants, food gardens, and other crops can also help protect them from pesticides.Repellents such as plants, essential oils, and baking soda can be used to repel some pests without the need for pesticides.
END ROACHES, a program that teaches families how to prevent and control roaches using safe, low-toxicity methods.END ROACHES is a partnership between the National Pesticide Council, the American Farm Bureau, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).END ROACHES is a free program that teaches families how to prevent and control roaches using safe, low-toxicity methods.END ROACHES includes five free resources: A roaches in the kitchen poster, a guide to common household pests, a booklet on how to control roaches, a guide to pesticides, and a roaches in the garden poster.
Pesticides are chemicals used to prevent pests from damaging crops, trees, lawns, and gardens. They are commonly used in homes and gardens because they are effective and relatively inexpensive. However, pesticides can also be dangerous to humans if used incorrectly or in excess. When pesticides are used indoors, they can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and can also accumulate in household dust. An estimated 2 million American homes use pesticides—nearly half of them on gardens and lawns—and about 70% of these households have children under the age of 18. In households where pesticides are used regularly, there is a higher risk of pesticide exposure for children who play, crawl, and explore in and around the house. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the risk of pesticide exposure in your home and protect your family members from potential health hazards.
Sometimes, all it needs for a place to become unhealthy are contaminants, molds, dust, unclean air, and pests. Without the sense of cleanliness, diseases thrive inside your home creating an unhealthy environment where kids and adults contract diseases, in turn, spreading the same in the neighborhood; while affecting the rest of the community’s physical and emotional state.
To achieve a healthy living space, one must develop the need to keep their home clean and organized. Start with common places at home like the kitchen, comfort room, living room, entertainment room, and dining room. Also, consider cleaning your private spaces regularly. These are your rooms, the house library, and the nursery among others. Remember that a healthy living space is not just about what you can see, it is also what you can smell and feel that makes it healthy.
Ever felt the need to sneeze more often? Have you seen pests and insects more regularly lately? For sure, one or two people inside the household have been sick from these. If you do, then you might be in an unhealthy home. Consider keeping a close look at common triggers for asthma and the like and you will see for yourself the need to turn your homes into a more comforting place to stay.