Pesticide Exposure | What to Know + How to Reduce It
They’re used often in places that most people probably don't think about... including farms, forests, lawns, golf courses, on our food, around our home, in our products (directly & indirectly), etc.
In the U.S. alone, it’s estimated that over 100 billion pounds of pesticides are used across these environments. There are also thousands of pesticide products on the market, many of which are used regularly depending on the setting.
| At the same time, only a small percentage of chemicals in use today have been thoroughly tested for long-term human safety. |
Globally, it’s estimated that around 25 million agricultural workers experience pesticide poisoning each year.
There’s also concern around environmental exposure, with millions of people potentially encountering pesticide contamination through sources like groundwater.
We also know that pesticide exposure has been linked to a range of health concerns, including certain cancers and other long-term effects.
How to Reduce Pesticide Exposure
You don’t have to do everything perfectly, but there are some simple ways to lower your exposure over time:
✨ Avoid using pesticides in your own yard
✨ Choose organic food and products when possible
✨ Filter your drinking water
✨ Use an air filter in your home
✨ Wash fruits and vegetables before eating
✨ Grow your own produce (even a little helps)
✨ Use options like diatomaceous earth instead of chemicals
✨ Take shoes off before coming inside
A few facts about pesticides:
➡️ Pesticide exposure isn’t just from food… it can also come from air, water, dust, and even surfaces in your home
➡️ Some pesticides are “systemic,” meaning they’re absorbed into the plant itself.... not just sitting on the outside
➡️ Even after washing fruits and vegetables, some residue can still be there (especially if they’re not organic)
It’s not just one source either…
➡️ Pesticides can end up in groundwater and drinking water, especially in areas near farming
➡️ Rain can move pesticides into other places like soil and waterways
➡️ A lot of exposure comes from small amounts over time from different places... not just one thing
And some people are a little more sensitive to it:
➡️ Kids tend to have higher exposure relative to their size and are still developing
➡️ Pregnancy is another time people usually try to be more mindful of exposure
➡️ Most testing looks at single chemicals, even though we’re exposed to a mix of things in real life
Also worth noting:
➡️ Organic doesn’t mean zero pesticide use… it just usually means different types and generally lower exposure
If you want to look into this further, you can read more here:
➡️ Pesticides Use and Exposure Extensive Worldwide
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