Cross-posted from my site.
I read this tragic story today and can not stress enough the important message of how dangerous some of these chemicals may be. A Texas family was given a commercial grade pesticide which they then used in their home. As a result, their two year old child died. Just because something is available, EPA registered, FDA approved, etc. etc. etc. - does not necessarily mean it is SAFE. The applicator's manual for the product this family was given is 43 pages long! http://www.plunketts.net/phos_pellet-l-0104.pdf
The person who supplied this family with the pesticide is facing criminal charges, as they should be. Always remember that "cide" literally translates to kill. In this case, it was an innocent child.
The news story can be read here: http://tinyurl.com/2cnttr
Beyond Pesticides (http://www.beyondpesticides.org) has some very good information to help you educate yourself.
Please keep this Texas family in your thoughts and prayers.
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Preventable Tragedy
So many people think that because pesticides are legal, and even sold in grocery stores and home centers, that they are utterly benign. Children are far more vulnerable than adults--exponentially more so, in fact. Their development can be altered by these substances, and remember that children live a lot closer to the ground where contact with garden chemicals is increased. But even if you think you are using the chemicals in an isolated area, remember that they get on your clothes, and when you wash them with the child's... voila, exposure! This is how the children of farm workers who may themselves have never visted the fields end up with health problems--through the laundry. I second the recommendation on beyondpesticides.org, a really wonderful resource.
Chemicals
Yes Hillary.
Also remember your shoes. People who use chemicals on their lawns or outdoors often track these in on their shoes. They then end up in the carpet or rugs - and most children spend the majority of their time on the floor. This is one of the reasons I love to see hard flooring, as it is much easier to clean and does not as easily harbor chemical and biological contaminants.
There was another article a few months ago where a baby almost died from being held by a person after they had been using an insecticide in their garden which had gotten on her shirt. The baby was sucking on her shirt (as all babies will do) and there was enough residue to nearly kill the baby.
We have a long way to go...
Stacey Champion, CIE
Owner/Consultant
Champion Indoors, LLC/Champion Indoor Env. Services, LLC
"Dedicated to the mission of assisting in the creation of healthier indoor environments."