The Negative Effects of Pesticides

Posted by Laresa Hays on

Using pesticide lawn treatments are a common way for gardeners and farmers to keep unwanted pests and insects out of their fruits and vegetables. However, these chemicals can have a negative effect on our lives. Fortunately, organic repellents and treatments, such as EM 1, are becoming more popular and available over the past few years, making a healthier garden more available to us.

Just how do these chemical pesticides affect our lives? Check out some of their potentially harmful effects on our heath and children.


Although pesticides are not the sole cause of autism, they may be a heavy part of the equation. The condition has been arising in mothers that were exposed to chemicals while she was pregnant and in the early years of childhood. Scientists believe that too many chemicals are affecting the neurology bugs, such as staying off of your plants or causing them to die, it is probably affecting the neurology of children too.


Cancer has been linked to many chemicals that assist in agricultural growth. Scientists have found that these pesticides have been associated with not just one, but many types of cancer. By simply applying these chemicals to their garden, one is exposing themselves to the risk of breast, prostate, brain, bone, thyroid, colon, liver and lung cancer.


But even when one is exposed indirectly to pesticides, such as through parental use, it has been found to affect children in a terrible way. A study has shown that when a woman is pregnant with a child and is exposed to the pesticides, it can increase the risk for brain cancer in the child. Parental exposure includes before the child’s conception, during gestation and after birth. When the parents are exposed to the pesticides may also play a role in the different cellular changes for themselves that lead to cancer.

Infertility and Birth Defects

While we are the topic of pregnancy, one of the most well-known negative effects of pesticides is infertility. Infertility is commonly and consistently found to be a result of exposure to pesticides and agricultural chemicals. A popular weed killer that is used on golf courses and agriculture is Atrazine. Atrazine has been found in the tap water of many homes. This may be a reason why miscarriage and infertility rates are on the rise. Roundup has also been found to cause various birth defects in pregnant women. Pesticides do not only effect women. That same chemical in Roundup has also been known to damage or kill testicular cells in the first 48 hours of exposure. Other chemicals affect males too. The chemical used in strawberry fields and apple orchards have been found to lower testosterone levels.

So how can we avoid pesticides and pesticide exposure? Do not use pesticides on your garden and buy organic food. If your budget does not allow you to eat all organic, try to just buy organic fruit and vegetables. Making a small change can make all the difference in your life and in your children’s life!

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