100F04901
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
Family 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
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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
and use only the amount recommended
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.
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Ise Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) -
Avoid Unnecessary Use
of Pesticides
The US EPA recommends using
an overall strategy, often called
"integrated pest management
(IPM)" for control of pests in
homes or apartment buildings.
IPM is a 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 sus-
ceptible populations, such as
older adults.
Learn More About EPA's
Aging Initiative
EPA's Aging Initiative is work-
ing to protect older adults
from environmental health
risks through the coordination
of research, prevention strate-
gies and public education. Visit
www.epa.gov/aging.
For more information on pesti-
cides, call 703-305-5017 or visit
our web site at www.epa.gov/
pesticides.
AGI'NG
initiative
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Publication Number EPA-100-F-04-901
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