pesticides – Lacto Bacto

Almost 500 Chemicals In Pesticide Products Linked to Breast Cancer

SimaOctober 16, 2026October 16, 2026Leave a comment

Women are concerned about breast cancer, especially with the cancer rates increasing each year. Many wonder if chemicals in the environment are contributing to breast cancer incidence, and whether there are ways to prevent breast cancer.

A recent study looked at 920 chemicals that can increase breast cancer risk, and found that exposure to breast cancer promoting chemicals is everywhere. The researchers found that 485 chemicals used in pesticide products, including common consumer goods (e.g., insect repellents, sanitizing products), are linked to breast cancer. Additionally, about 462 of the chemicals have been detected in food, 162 in drinking water, 142 in pharmaceuticals, and 106 in building (construction) materials.

The breast cancer chemical list includes both active ingredients found in pesticides and inert ingredients (which typically are not listed on labels, but can be just as harmful). It includes pesticides used in conventional (non-organic) farming, in outdoor lawn and garden pesticides, pesticides meant for indoor use, lice treatments for children and adults, and flea and tick treatments on pets.

Keep in mind that pesticides applied to crops leave residues, which means they eventually wind up in the foods we eat. And yes, this is why most Americans have detectable pesticides in their bodies (typically blood and urine is tested as part of biomonitoring).

In case you're wondering, the US EPA is not doing a good a job of regulating pesticides and protecting residents of the US - due to persons from the chemical industry or with ties to the pesticide industry (e.g., industry lobbyists) in EPA leadership. And also because laws protecting us have been significantly weakened in the last few years.

Some pesticides banned throughout much of the world (due to their health and environmental risks) are heavily used in the U.S. Noted examples: Atrazine (over 76 million pounds used annually in the US) and paraquat (over 10 million pounds used annually in US).

Bottom line: Try to buy and eat untreated or organic foods. Use unscented or fragrance-free products whenever possible (whether personal care products or cleaning products). Try to avoid using products that say they are "antimicrobial" or "antibacterial". Use least-toxic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) or organic pest control (whether for insects or weeds) both indoors and outdoors.

From The Guardian: New research finds 485 chemicals in US pesticide products linked to breast cancer

New research has identified at least 485 chemicals used in US pesticide products that are linked to breast cancer, raising questions about the safety of food and other products at a time when early onset breast cancer rates are surging worldwide. ...continue reading "Almost 500 Chemicals In Pesticide Products Linked to Breast Cancer"

Pesticides and Men’s Reproductive Health

SimaOctober 8, 2026October 10, 2026Leave a comment

A recent study reviewed health effects from pesticide exposure in men. The review of studies on this issue found many adverse health effects from pesticides, including harmful effects on sperm, semen quality, infertility, and other reproductive problems. In other words: male reproductive dysfunction.

Of course, the more exposure, the more problems. And certain types of pesticides have greater effects, including organophosphates (e.g., chlorpyrifos) and carbamates. Unfortunately, the US EPA disregards these reproductive health effects.

Even though study after study finds harmful effects from pesticide exposure, it doesn't seem to be having an impact on use. Billions of pounds of pesticides are applied globally. And residential use (lawn and garden pesticides) continues to be very high.

In fact, recently I've been seeing both homeowner and professional pesticide applications on lawns with one hand holding the pesticide sprayer and the other hand looking at and holding a phone! And no gloves. Yikes! Do they not understand that they are absorbing the chemicals and that there are health effects?

From Beyond Pesticides: Literature Review Captures Science On Adverse Health Effects in Men With Pesticide Exposure

A review published in Annual Research & Review in Biology, titled “Pesticide and Herbicide Exposure and Male Reproductive Health: A Critical Narrative Review of Semen Quality, Sperm Genomic Integrity and Mechanistic Evidence,” highlights the current scientific literature linking pesticides to adverse reproductive effects in men. ...continue reading "Pesticides and Men’s Reproductive Health"

A Commonly Used Pesticide Is Linked to Thyroid Cancer

SimaSeptember 2, 2026September 3, 2026Leave a comment

Exposure to the weed-killer 2,4-D is very common. This pesticide has been used for many years starting with its use in Agent Orange decades ago, as an ingredient in the commonly used Weed and Feed for lawns, even on genetically engineered crops, and on and on. While the pesticide industry tells you it's safe, many studies have found that exposure to it can cause all sorts of health harms.

A recent study found that exposure to 2,4-D is linked to thyroid cancer in rural counties (where the pesticide is used the most). The researchers think that this may be occurring because 2,4-D is "an endocrine disruptor and may be toxic to the thyroid gland". They also point out that biomonitoring studies find that in rural agricultural areas people (especially women and children) have higher amounts of 2,4-D in their urine.

As mentioned in the following article, other studies also find that 2,4-D exposure has thyroid effects. It also points out that one study found 2,4-D in the bodies of 1 in 3 Americans, and another study found the presence of both 2,4-D and dicamba (both herbicides) in all pregnant midwest women studied in 2020-2022.

While the United States EPA does not view 2,4-D as carcinogenic (cancer-causing), other countries and international organizations do.

Bottom line: To lower your own 2,4-D exposure, eat as many organic foods as possible, and don't use pesticides on your lawn. Organic crops and organic lawn care does not allow the use of 2,4-D.

Excerpts from Beyond Pesticides: Thyroid Cancer Associated With Exposure to the Weed Killer 2,4-D, Study Finds

In a study of the herbicide 2,4-D and thyroid cancer in the U.S., researchers find that 2,4-D exposure is significantly associated with greater thyroid cancer incidence in rural counties. Utilizing incidence rates for thyroid cancer for 2017–2021 through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) database and county-level 2,4-D use data from the U.S. Geological Survey, this research, published in Endocrines, highlights a link between pesticide exposure—in areas where agricultural pesticide use is most concentrated—and disproportionate cancer risks. ...continue reading "A Commonly Used Pesticide Is Linked to Thyroid Cancer"

California Is Finally Taking Steps To Ban A Highly Toxic Pesticide

SimaAugust 15, 2026August 15, 2026Leave a comment

For years it has been known that the pesticide paraquat has serious health effects, which is why it is banned in so many countries - but not the US. But California, the US's largest user of the toxic pesticide, is now the second state to ban the use of the pesticide. It is considered the deadliest pesticide used in agriculture in the US.

Paraquat is a herbicide (weed-killer) that is strongly linked to (causes) Parkinson's disease, and is known to damage the lungs, kidneys. liver, cardiac system, and other bodily systems. While it is banned in more than 70 countries world-wide (e.g., the EU, China, UK, Brazil), the EPA reapproved its use in 2024. More than 10 million pounds annually are sprayed on US crops (e.g., soybeans, almonds, walnuts, cotton), with the most used in California.

Once again, the US is lagging behind other countries in safety and health regulations. Unfortunately, the current EPA is led by persons affiliated with the chemical industry. No wonder it's big industry first in all decisions!

Excerpts from The Guardian: California bans paraquat, highly toxic herbicide outlawed in more than 70 countries

California is banning paraquat, a highly toxic, controversial herbicide used across millions of acres of American cropland. ...continue reading "California Is Finally Taking Steps To Ban A Highly Toxic Pesticide"

Residents of a NY Town, Parkinson’s Disease, and the Pesticide Paraquat

SimaAugust 14, 2026August 15, 2026Leave a comment

Stories about the toxic pesticide paraquat keep coming. Paraquat is a herbicide (weed-killer) that is strongly associated (causes) Parkinson's disease plus other health harms. This pesticide is banned in over 70 countries world-wide due to its known health harms, but not the US.

California recently took steps to ban the pesticide, but people in New York state are also demanding a ban. The Guardian recently wrote an investigative piece describing the elevated incidence of Parkinson's disease among residents in the rural farming community of Hebron in upstate NY.

The residents want a state-wide ban on the use of paraquat. They say that too many of them have developed Parkinson's disease due to the use of paraquat in their area.

Excerpts from the Guardian: The herbicide haunting a New York farm town

Gordon Chaplin gingerly stepped out of the car at the top of the steep hill behind his farmhouse, sporting a bandage on his hand from a fall the day before. He gripped his cane as he shuffled through the knee-high grass. He stopped every few feet to catch his breath, leaning on his caregiver for support. ...continue reading "Residents of a NY Town, Parkinson’s Disease, and the Pesticide Paraquat"

The Farm Bill and Pesticide Liability

SimaAugust 7, 2026August 9, 2026Leave a comment

There was a huge blow to anyone concerned with hidden (by pesticide manufacturers) health effects of pesticides this week. Senate Republican members of the Senate Farm Appropriations Committee voted down an amendment to the Senate farm bill that would have enabled lawsuits against pesticide manufacturers when pesticide health effects and harms are revealed.

The amendment, which was proposed by Senator Booker, also stated that if a product causes cancer, it should be on the pesticide label.

The only good news is that the farm bill did not advance out of committee this week. But it will reconsider the farm bill in September. If the farm bill passes as it is written, only what is on pesticide labels can be acknowledged - and it generally just talks about immediate acute effects, such as skin irritation.

Cancer, neurological harms, effects on the fetus, long-term harms, etc. are typically not on pesticide labels, even if pesticide companies know of harmful health effects (hiding harmful effects is called "failure to warn"). Basically, not allowing consumers to sue pesticide companies is a screw you to Americans.

And yes, the voting was along party lines - Republicans don't want us to be able to sue if health harms are found, while Democrats voted to preserve the right to sue.

From The Hill: Republicans vote down farm bill amendment enabling lawsuits against pesticide companies, a blow to MAHA

Senate Republicans on Thursday voted down an amendment that sought to open up Americans’ ability to sue pesticide companies over the health impacts of their products. ...continue reading "The Farm Bill and Pesticide Liability"

Only One Bee and One Cabbage White Butterfly

SimaJuly 23, 2026July 30, 2026Leave a comment

After many days of nothing, finally saw some flying insects among my flowers!

The problem is that many of my neighbors are continuing their obsessions with weed-free carpet-like lawns, and their hatred for any insects - whether beneficial or harmful. Thus, nonstop pesticide applications for lawns, around residence perimeters, and into bushes (e.g., mosquito treatments using leaf-blower type pesticide applicators).

As a consequence, there are fewer beneficial insects to be found. So far this year I have found only one bee, one cabbage white butterfly (considered a pest by many), and only a few fireflies. It's sad. The brainwashing and marketing by the chemical industry of how frequent applications of pesticides are needed for a "healthy lawn and garden" is very powerful.

But I also found one insect I'm sorry to see - a deer tick.

The Bee and Butterfly Decline Continues

SimaJuly 20, 2026July 23, 2026Leave a comment

Haven't seen any bees or butterflies this past week. Not on flowers, not among the clover. None. All I can do is document the devastating effects of neighboring pesticide applications on pollinator populations in my organic suburban property.

A neighbor has had numerous applications by 3 services(!) for several years - on the lawn, in the garden, on plants around the house, the exterior of the house, and the hedges between properties. Basically everywhere, typically every 3 weeks. Of course, the pesticides drift to neighboring properties (mine!).

The worst for pollinators (bees, butterflies) appear to be the mosquito applications using a device that looks like a leaf blower, which is held at waist-height - these are high-volume applications. The mosquito applications are done using cypermethrin and pyrethroid insecticides (which are synthetic pesticides, e.g., made by Fendona). Pyrethroids are known to be highly toxic to pollinators such as bees and wasps, and there is growing evidence of harms to humans (here, here).

One study confirmed that pesticides are a major reason that wild bee populations are significantly down in the US. The researchers found that bee species are about 43% down in areas of heavy pesticide use. They singled out pesticides (insecticides) such as neonicotinoids and pyrethroids as drivers of this bee species reduction. They pointed out that using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) or organic methods would help reduce pesticide use and so help with bee species populations.

This means that businesses (e.g., Mosquito Joe) that apply long-lasting pyrethroids throughout suburban yards and hedges in the US are contributing directly to bee species reduction.

Other studies found that applying pesticides (no matter what kind) to lawns destroys bee populations and reduces the number of bee species. Think of lawns that are not treated with pesticides as having wildflowers, not weeds. These are bee habitats!

Unsafe Pesticide Applications

SimaJuly 1, 2026August 15, 2026Leave a comment

It continues to amaze me that people applaud the frequent use of heavy duty pesticides, especially for cosmetic reasons (e.g., to have lawns look like carpets). Do they not realize that there are health harms, and so should be used only when necessary?

Well, I recently traveled out of the country and was surprised, even shocked, that some (high end) hotels do routine daily pesticide applications in their gardens, both using a sprayer and fumigation. They even fumigate routinely among people sitting and even dining outside! After asking, I found out that the hotel does this because their customers don't want to see any insects and the daily fumigation shows that "action is being taken".

Are you kidding me? The applicator didn't even wear gloves, and walked along a driveway, as well as a stone terrace next to a building - fumigating all the while. And people just sat there! (My photos were taken through a window.) And by the way, throughout the city there were very few insects, including mosquitos. So was the hotel's fumigation all performative, for show?

What I'm also wondering is whether the pesticide applicator knew about long-term health harms to him, such as cancer and neurological damage?

Many Studies Link A Commonly Used Pesticide To Health Harms

SimaJune 26, 2026July 2, 2026Leave a comment

It has long been known that the pesticide chlorpyrifos has harmful health effects on humans, especially developing fetuses and children. Unfortunately, it is still in use.

A recent review of nearly 300 studies looking at chlorpyrifos found that the pesticide has harmful effects throughout the body, also causes DNA damage, harms children's brains and nervous systems, causes cancer.and that harmful effects are found at levels that are considered safe by the EPA. Unfortunately, more health harms are found each year.

While the pesticide is no longer allowed to be used for household use in the US (remember cans of Raid cockroach killer?), it is still allowed to be used on farms, in greenhouses, golf courses, and more. Keep in mind that industry-funded studies of chlorpyrifos have been used to shape federal policy and exposure limits for decades.

In other words, federal standards do not protect public health. Why is that not surprising?

Excerpts from the investigative journalism site U.S. Right To Know: Nearly 300 studies link the common pesticide chlorpyrifos to multi-organ damage, DNA disruption, and chronic disease

Key findings:

- A review of nearly 300 studies summarizes evidence that chlorpyrifos may harm multiple systems throughout the body, including the brain, hormones, liver, gut microbiome, muscles, reproductive organs, and bones.
- The review describes DNA damage, chromosome instability, and epigenetic changes that may alter how genes function long after exposure.
- Some harmful effects appear at exposure levels below those considered safe under current pesticide exposure testing standards.

...continue reading "Many Studies Link A Commonly Used Pesticide To Health Harms"