ENTEROVIRUS and Autism linked to Pesticide use!

There seems to be something going around called an enterovirus that is putting a lot of children in the hospital. This virus has been strongly linked to chronic fatigue symdrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). A number of chemical substances have been reported to be associated with fatigue and chronic exposure to significant amounts of organophosphate and synthetic pyrethroid pesticides can cause CFS/ME-like illnesses, or act as a co-factor in precipitating CFS/ME. One study found exposures to herbicides and insecticides in cases of CFS/ME.

How are people exposed? Sources of pesticide exposure include garden and perimeter sprays by you, your neighbor or a professional, which can be tracked into the house on shoes. Agricultural exposure can occur in rural areas when crops are sprayed with pesticides.

I realize a lot of work has to be done to totally point at any one cause of enterovirus. And I know the pesticide industry will demand proof that their chemicals are dangerous. However, since most of any pesticides consist of inert ingredients that are not required to be tested or listed on the label, it is impossible to determine how dangerous the pesticides are. I recommend that we never use pesticides in or around our homes or in any commercial buildings. The pesticide industry needs to start using products that are EPA exempt instead of the restricted use pesticides they currently use.

As for homeowners, there are NO pests in the country that require the use of pesticides to control. Any pest can be controlled safely and effectively if you know what you are doing. The days of spraying pesticides and praying you kill something are over, because we are threatening our own children with these toxic products.

In another issue, a university in California has come to the conclusion that some pesticide exposure to pregnant women can cause autism. The pesticides involved are organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids. It is a matter of fact that the four most common pesticides used to spray for mosquitoes are all in those groups. Three are pyrethroids and one, Malathion, is an organophosphate. While the study didn’t mention mosquito control, there is a very high amount of pesticides used and it would be as dangerous as the methods described. So if a city or county is going to use these products to spray for mosquitoes, they need to make the citizens aware so they can leave the area for a few days. Also, the citizens should know of the potential danger of the pesticides.

Also the study said that although there is no evidence, pregnant women should not be in buildings sprayed with any of these products. Why take a chance? Most pest companies use synthetic pyrethroid pesticides, such as Tempo, Suspend, Demand and many others. You may want to tell any pest control companies you use that you want them to use only EPA exempt products, which are considered safe.

Here is the link to the pesticide / autism study.

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2014/06/24/pesticide-exposure-during-pregnancy-may-increase-autism-risk/?hpt=hp_t2