Common Pesticide Residues in Rural Homes of New York State - Abstract
Adverse health effects occur from human exposure to pests in homes, including allergic reactions, asthma attacks and depression. Despite the existence of chemicalfree methods to eradicate pests, Americans use over one billion pounds of pesticides per year. Residues of these pesticides enter homes through tracking with shoes, bare feet, clothing, or animal fur; airborne entry; and soil gas entry. Because of spray drift and volatility, adjacency and proximity to agricultural operations can be responsible for residential pesticide residues. Pesticide use in and around homes is another factor responsible for these residues. Numerous health problems occur from exposure to pesticides, such as cancer, birth defects, leukemia, and ocular toxicity. Because of crawling and hand-to-mouth behaviors, children are more vulnerable than adults to adverse health effects from pesticide exposure. This paper examines exposure risks from pesticide residues in homes and presents results from a study of pesticide residues
in rural homes in New York State. Policy implications of findings from this study include home maintenance guidelines for prevention of and safe eradication of accumulated pesticide residues of which consumers may not be aware.