Pesticides have been associated with everything from cancer and infertility toGulf War syndrome and eye abnormalities and, in many cases, there is solidevidence to back this up.For this reason, some countries have banned the use of certain pesticides in foodand safety levels have been set for others which are deemed to protect the public.However, the jury is still out on the risk of consuming many pesticides on a long-term basis.Why the concern?Pesticides are poisons, so in themselves they are dangerous. However, farmerscount on the levels used to kill insects being low enough not to affect humans.So the main health fear associated with pesticides is not that someone will eat asprayed apple and get cancer, but that residues will build up over the years andcause disease to develop slowly.Because such an effect is so long-term, it is difficult to prove it is happening,but many people prefer not to risk exposure to pesticides and opt for organicfoods.What are "hormone disruptors"?A number of pesticides which are commonly found in our food have been identifiedby the European Union as likely to cause disturbance to natural hormones in ourbodies.These "hormone disruptors" can affect behaviour, brain development and developmentof reproductive organs.They have also been linked to such as falling sperm counts and girls enteringpuberty earlier.Hormone disruptors can cause problems at very low doses. Some block the bodiesnatural hormones from working, while others mimic the action of natural hormones.Is there a risk to children?Some scientists believe exposure to pesticides in the womb may be to blame for thegrowth of behavioural disorders among children in industrial countries.They also suspect that subtle harm done to the brain early in life may not becomeevident until much later.Some pesticides have been found to weaken the immune system, and concern has evenbeen raised that exposure to pesticides in the womb could make individuals morevulnerable to their toxic effects as adults.What protection is there?The government sets a maximum residue level (MRL), what it calls an "approvedusage" level of a pesticide - essentially a safety limit on how much can make itsway into the food chain.The September 1999 report from the Working Party on Pesticide Residues foundpesticides in many supermarket foods, but only a small proportion breached the

limits.However, the approved usage level is set down for adults, potentially puttingchildren at risk.Barbara Dinham, programme director of the Pesticides Trust said: "Children tend toeat a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables and there is the worry that they could bemore at risk, especially as there are more pesticides in food now, so they aregrowing up accumulating these chemicals."What are the prime suspects?Research has identified several pesticides that pose a risk to health over aprolonged period and even with small-scale exposure.Chlordecone: Leads to abnormal sperm and affects their ability to move.Vinclozalin: Another hormone disruptor used on oilseed rape, apples, peas andbeans, has been shown to cause serious developmental problems to baby male rats.Carbendazim: The the most commonly used fungicide in the UK. It has been shown todisrupt sperm production in the testicles of adult rats, and to damage thedevelopment of mammels in the womb.Lindane: Linked to breast and other cancers, and fertility problems.DDT: Linked to cancer and male infertility after it was shown to block the actionof male hormones. Banned in the developed world, and the UN Environment Programmeis trying to push through a worldwide ban on the hazardous chemical, but malariaspecialists have campaigned against this, as DDT is used to kill the mosquitoesthat carry the disease.Organophosphates: Those used in sheep dip have been linked to excessive tiredness,headaches, limb pains, disturbed sleep, poor concentration, mood changes, andsuicidal thoughts.See also:01 Oct 98 | HealthPesticide link to eye abnormalities30 Jun 99 | HealthEnvironmentalists attack cancer apathy06 Aug 99 | HealthPesticides 'reduce male fertility'04 Dec 98 | HealthPesticide linked to breast cancer09 Oct 98 | Science/NaturePesticides -- a hidden menace ?Internet links:World Health Organisation Group on Pesticide ResiduesThe Pesticides TrustMinistry of Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites*****************************************************************************************

Pesticides are chemicals intended to kill or repel pests, and include herbicides,insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides. Pesticides are poisons and can pose athreat to humans (especially the person applying them) as well as plants, animals,and other non-target species such as insects and fish.***********************************************************************************************Choose native, disease-resistant plant varieties suited to your conditionsto minimize the need for pesticides. Healthy plants are more effective atdefending themselves against insects and competition.*Rotate annual plants in your gardens to disrupt the life cycle of plant-specific pests.*Remove pest-infested plant residues in the fall.*Plant a wide variety of plant species to reduce potential pest problems.*Maintain optimal light and water levels for plants (mulch can help maintainsoil moisture throughout the growing season and reduce the need for watering).Stress weakens plants' natural resistance.*Proper mowing heights are important for maintaining healthy turfgrass. Setyour mower to cut at 2 to 22 inches. Mow often, each time the grass reaches 3 to 4inches high (it's important not to cut more than 1/3 of its height in any onecutting). Longer lawns are healthier, more drought-resistant, and will discouragegrowth of many common weeds!Biological controls take advantage of natural predator/prey or host/parasiterelationships to control pest insect populations.*Limit pesticide use to allow natural enemies to thrive, helping to keep pestpopulations in check. Beneficial insect predators include ladybird beetles, groundbeetles, praying mantises, and dragonflies that consume many pests in theirlifetime. Parasites, such as the trichogamma wasp, will generally consume oneindividual insect pest during its own lifetime. There are also pathogens, such asfungi and bacteria, that infect insect pests (but do not pose a threat to humans).*Entice insect-eating birds and/or bats to your yard by providing suitablehabitat such as purple martin houses or bat houses.Mechanical controls use physical disturbance to remove pests.*Till or hand-weed instead of using herbicides.*Remove large insects by hand.