Most people can guess that herbicides are poisonous – they kill living things, after all. And the warnings on labels should be a dead giveaway.
Exactly how poisonous are herbicides, though? They definitely kill weeds, but what do they do to humans?Herbicides and pesticides, like many other chemicals, build up in humans as a body burden. Humans (and animals) are exposed to the toxic chemicals through contaminated ground water, public water systems, and contaminated air caused by drifting fumes.Once the toxins start accumulating, they may cause a host of health problems, including:
- Adrenal gland damage;
- Attention Deficit Disorder;
- Autism;
- Birth defects, including spina bifida;
- Blurred vision;
- Burning or itching skin;
- Cancer;
- Convulsions;
- Damaged neurons;
- Disrupted sex hormones;
- Dizziness;
- Eye irritation;
- Genetic damage;
- Headache;
- Heart congestion;
- Kidney damage;
- Lethargy;
- Low blood pressure;
- Lung damage;
- Miscarriages;
- Muscle damage;
- Nausea;
- Nose bleeds;
- Respiratory difficulties;
- Reproductive health problems;
- Skin rashes;
- Sore throat;
- Weight loss.
Solutions?
So what can be done? While everyday people can’t regulate the toxins found in herbicides, there are a few ways to lessen exposure:
So what can be done? While everyday people can’t regulate the toxins found in herbicides, there are a few ways to lessen exposure:
- Take off your shoes when you enter a house. Herbicides and pesticides easily stick to your shoes, so taking them off at the door prevents you from tracking the poisons all around your home.
- Drink filtered water. Your best bet is distilled water, but if you’d rather use something else, stick to tap water from a reverse osmosis filter. (Not a carbon filter. And definitely not bottled water.)
- Eat organic food. It’s an easy way to try to prevent exposing yourself and your family to unnecessary toxins.
- Don’t use herbicides or pesticides! On Friday I’ll share natural and safe ways to get rid of weeds.
Sources
“Hazards of the world’s most common herbicide.” Cheryl Long. November 2005. Mother Earth News.
“Pesticides and Childhood Cancer.” Sheila Hoar Zahm and Mary H. Ward. June 1998. Environmental Health Perspectives.
“What are the dangers of herbicides in foods?” Ciele Edwards. Oct. 2, 2010. LiveStrong.com.
Photo credit
Danilo Rizzuti/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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Hilary Kimes Bernstein is a Christ follower, wife, mama, and journalist. She writes about making healthy decisions that honor God and happen to help the environment at Accidentally Green. Short and sweet - like her writing - Hilary is the author of several healthy living eBooks.
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