While we know that pest control is an important aspect of health and safety measures. In any location that involves humans living or working, food storage, or a place frequented by people should be taken under a good pest control program.
However, apart from eradicating the pests, several methods have adverse effects in humans as well. Since there are many chemical pesticides that are used in the process of pest control, these chemicals affect humans as well and sometimes prove to be fatal to them.
Toxicity:
Several components of the chemicals pesticides used for pest control can be toxic to human health. It should not be ingested, or even inhaled. Having skin contact with some of these chemicals can cause skin irritation. It can also cause anxiety and other psychological concerns if not taken care of immediately.
Short term effects:
Some short term health effects that are caused due to acute exposure include:
- Headache and dizziness: Exposure and direct inhalation of strong pesticides can lead to headache and dizziness.
- Nausea and vomiting: Upon accidental ingestion of pesticides, it can cause an upset stomach, which can lead to nausea and vomiting.
- Skin and eye irritation: Direct contact with skin or strong pesticide vapours can cause skin and eye irritation that can last for a short while.
- Respiratory issues: Respiratory illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, coughing, or wheezing can be triggered upon accidental inhalation of fumes.
Long term effects:
There are more fatal health effects of chemical pesticides that last longer and may also be permanent:
- Cancer is the most dangerous and lasting effect of all. Prolonged exposure to pesticides can increase the risk of several forms of cancer. Pest control workers are at the highest risk of this effect.
- Hormonal imbalance, neurological and endocrine effects are very commonly seen in people having prolonged exposure to pesticide chemicals.
Vulnerable population
- Pets and infants: Newborn babies and pets are highly susceptible to being affected by pesticides. It is strongly advised to keep them away from the location being pest controlled.
- Elderly people: Elderly people are immunocompromised to a certain extent due to their old age. Therefore, they too are susceptible to being affected and must be taken care of.
- Immunocompromised people: People who aren’t old but have certain immune related diseases can be immunocompromised, which can lead to them being vulnerable in times of pest control.
Preventive measures
- Using alternative methods of pest control like mechanical methods, biological methods, or basically non-chemical methods can make it less harmful to a great extent.
- Apart from non-chemical methods, natural methods are a great way of reducing pests. Ladybugs and spiders are some natural insects that control pests in their area.
- Regular inspection of the said area is important to keep check whether there are any pests festering in the area. Cleaning them out and eradicating them in their early stages can help to a great extent to avoid unnecessary trouble and potential health hazards.
- Lastly, keep the house/workspace/area clean and regularly maintain cleanliness to keep pests from turning into an infestation.
