By David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, ABIHM

Pesticides are one of the most common–and potentially dangerous- hazards in the home. There are an estimated 1,400 pesticides in consumer products as part of the ingredients. Of the 1,400 pesticides, at least 37 registered for use on foods are neurotoxic organophosphate insecticides. These substances are closely related chemically to even more toxic nerve agents used in conducting warfare that were developed at the beginning of the 20th century.
What’s particularly alarming is the fact that pound for pound, children eat more fruits and vegetables, in relation to their body weight, than adults do. As such, some 20 million American children, ages five and under, eat an average of eight pesticides every day through their food. This is one of the reasons I believe that organic produce is well worth the extra cost. Pesticides are especially dangerous to children because the residue is stored in fat cells and remain in the body indefinitely. Therefore, the younger the exposure, the more lethal and toxic the buildup.
Organophosphates are the class of pesticide widely used that are particularly toxic to the developing brain. They are in a class of toxic organic molecules containing phosphate, and often fluoride, that are used in both insecticides and nerve gases (such as sarin). Many of these molecules block the action of an enzyme (acetylcholinesterase) that recycles an important brain chemical called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that controls the actions of skeletal and smooth muscle in the peripheral nervous system, and that may also regulate memory (it is severely diminished in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease). Because the enzyme is inhibited, acetylcholine builds up in the system, causing nervous system dysfunction.
The substances many people use to control pests at home, especially in the lawn or garden, are also the organophosphates. When there is acute exposure (high levels all at once), they have been shown in some cases to cause permanent damage of the workings of the brain. Some behavioral effects have been seen even when the exposure is brief, or at a low level. Studies on newly born mice showed that a single dose of an organophosphate 10 days after birth– a stage that is similar to the stage in humans during the last trimester of pregnancy– linked to hyperactivity in the same mice at four months of age. In a comparative study in Mexico, children exposed to pesticides in the 1960s and 70s demonstrated decreases in stamina, coordination, memory, and the ability to draw familiar subjects.
Other organophosphates include chlorpyrifos (Dursban) and diazinon, both of which are linked to neurochemical and behavioral changes in lab animals. In the late 1990s, after it had been used in homes and schools for the previous 30 years, the EPA and Dow AgroSciences agreed to phase-out chlorpyrifos (Dursban), one of the most commonly used insecticides in schools, because of its high risks to children.
I live in a warm humid climate and we are endlessly challenged by insects and pests in and out of our home. We have never used toxic pesticides around our home or outdoors and never will. There are natural and safer alternatives that can help control pests and weeds without putting the health of your family at risk.
A Safer Bug Repellent. Many commercial bug repellents contain DEET (diethyl-m-toluamide) which is a neurotoxin. No doubt it works well at repelling insects but I fear the long term side effects. I recommend using a natural herbal based bug repellent such as Bug Off, (which contains, among other ingredients, lemon eucalptus oil and karanja oil,) Bite Blocker, a soy based bug repellent or Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent. Children under 3 should not use any bug repellent product because they are likely to rub their eyes or put their hands in the mouth. Instead, put a screen over their stroller to keep bugs out the old fashioned way.
If your children go outdoors in areas that are infested with mosquitos or ticks, be sure that they are wearing long sleeves and long pants that are tucked into their socks. I know that kids like to wear shorts in the warm weather, but if they are playing in wooded areas they still need to wear lightweight clothing that covers their bodies.
Keep Pests out the Natural Way Take steps to make your home, and especially your kitchen, an inhospitable place for pests. For example, when possible, clean up food spills immediately, keep all areas as clean as possible, especially the hard-to-reach areas where pests can hide. Pests can also hide in clutter, so try to remove as much as you can. Keep food that attracts pests in the refrigerator, including flour. Remember that water attracts pests, so have any leaks repaired immediately. Keep screens on doors and windows, and clean and air your clothes regularly. Store the clothes that are out of season in airtight containers to prevent moth infestation.
Control Indoor Insects You can make insect repellent with foods that attract insects mixed with food that is poisonous to them, but non-toxic for you. For example, mix equal parts of oatmeal and plaster-of-Paris or equal parts of powder and flour with borax. Sprinkle these mixtures directly on the areas where you have seen insects and on the doorways where insects gain entry in your home. Or try using old-fashioned flypaper. Although these mixtures are non toxic, they can still make you sick, so don’t allow them to come in contact with food. And clean up the exposed areas before allowing your child to crawl on the floor.
And remember, some of these toxic chemicals can stay around for decades, which means even if you are scrupulous about not using neurotoxic chemicals, you can’t be sure what the past owners did. If you suspect that your backyard has ever been treated with pesticides, I don’t recommend allowing small children to crawl around the yard because their faces are literally in the dirt. It’s fine for older children to play outdoors, but make sure they wash their hands and face very well when they come into the house.

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