Home Pesticides & Herbicides Linked to Childhood Cancer

MedPage Today reported on two recent studies linking indoor home insecticide use or outdoor herbicide use to a significant increase in risk for childhood cancers like leukemia and lymphomas.

Daniel S. Wechsler, MD, PhD, associate professor, pediatrics and pharmacology & cancer biology at Duke University Medical Center, noted, "The current study adds to the 'smoking gun' raised by other investigators that pesticides could contribute to the development of cancer in children...It certainly seems prudent to limit exposure of children (or anyone) to these agents, especially in indoor locations."

Harvard researcher Chesheng Lu, PhD, MS, noted, "Pediatricians should remind parents with young kids to try not to use pesticides in your household and if kids go to a daycare or school that uses lots of pesticides, parents may need to talk to the school or school district to see if there's a better alternative without using chemical-based treatment."

Before you start spraying your house for pests or bombarding your dandelions with herbicide, think about your children or your neighbors' children that will be exposed to the poisonous chemicals. Consider creating a healthier chemical-free yard with permaculture gardening to control your pests for you and provide a healthy place for children to play.

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