April 2008 Responsible pesticide use is an important issue across generations. Older adults may be more susceptible to the effects of exposure to pesticides because of age-related changes in how the body processes chemicals. Using an integrated pest management system can help you avoid unnecessary use of pesticides. Effective Control of Household Pests Information for Older Adults and Their Caregivers Did you know that eight out of ten U.S. households use pes- ticides both indoors and outside their homes?1 Examples of pesticides in common use include cock- roach sprays and baits, termite control products, rat poison, flea and tick sprays and pow- ders, weed killers, bug sprays, and kitchen and bath disinfec- tants. Environmental Hazards of Pesticides Exposure to high levels of pesti- cides, usually due to improper application of a product, may lead to acute effects such as headaches, dizziness, muscle twitching, weakness, and nausea. Long-term and/or excessive exposure to some pesticides has been linked to cancer, reproductive effects, and effects on the central ner- vous system. Preventing Exposure Grandparents can play an important role in keeping chil- dren safe by placing hazard- ous pesticides out of reach. Emergency room surveys suggest that children under age six are more likely to be poisoned while visiting grandparents where poisons are more likely to be in reach and without child-resistant closures than when in their own homes. In addition, while older adults account for only 2.8% of reported poisoning incidents, they account for 5.9% of all cases with a mod- erate to major medical out- come and 28% of deaths.2 If you or a family member shows symptoms of having been poisoned, call the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 Footnotes: 1 U.S. EPA, National Household Pesticide Usage Study, 1992, Office of Pesticide Programs 2 National Poison Control Center Data, 1993-1998 ------- I I I I I I I I I I I What You Can Do to Control and Reduce Exposure to Pesticide Hazards Tips for home pesticide use: • Read the label. The pesticide label is your best guide for safe and effective use of pesticides. If you have impaired vision, ask for assistance. • Store pesticides only in their original containers. Never use an empty pesticide container for another purpose. • Use a community disposal program in your neighborhood. Check with your local solid waste management authority, environmental agency, or health depart- ment to find out if your community has a hazardous waste disposal program. If not, carefully follow the disposal instruc- tions on the label. • Never use outdoor-pesticides indoors. • Keep people and pets away from areas where pesticide sprays and foggers are applied. Read the label to determine when it is safe for people or pets to re-enter the area. • Avoid spraying where you prepare or store food, and avoid treating entire floors, walls or ceilings. • Limit pesticide applications to infested areas and use only the amount recom- mended on the product label. • Avoid applying pesticides outdoors on a windy day. Before spraying close the doors and windows of your home. • After applying a pesticide, wash any parts of your body or clothes that might have come in contact with the pesticide. i i i i i i i i i i i Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - Avoid Unnecessary Use of Pesticides The US EPA recommends using an overall pest management strat- egy, often called "integrated pest management (IPM)" for control of pests in homes or apartment buildings. IPM is a pest manage- ment system that combines non- chemical control strategies with less toxic pesticide use minimizing risk to human health and the environment. For example, you might use traps, baits and gels instead of sprays to control pests. IPM minimizes health risks for susceptible popu- lations, such as older adults. Learn More About EPA's Aging Initiative EPA's Aging Initiative is working to protect older adults from environ- mental health risks through the coordination of research, preven- tion strategies and public educa- tion. Visit www.epa.gov/aging. For more information on pesticides, call 703-305-5017 or visit our web site at www.epa.gov/pesticides. AGING initiative Publication Number EPA-100-F-04-009 ------- |