Pesticide
A chemical used to prevent, destroy or repel pests such as insects, mice, weeds, fungi, bacteria.
Uses: disinfecting, removing mildew, controlling organisms considered harmful.
Found in: household cleaners, including chlorine bleach, used on farms to control crop pests and used in livestock facilities. There are over 370,000 current and historic U.S. registered pesticide products.
Effects: some pesticides, such as the organophosphates and carbamates, affect the nervous system. Others may irritate the skin or eyes. Some pesticides may be carcinogens. Others may affect the hormone or endocrine system in the body. EPA's human health risk assessments for many pesticides are available on the web. people working with pesticides were found to have an increase in diabetes.
**Over 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of herbicides reach a destination other than their target species, including non-target species, air, water and soil.**
