Re: Pesticides
WREZN8R(AT)aol.com
Wed, 27 Jan 1999 10:51:24 EST
Since I am an exterminator, maybe I can help with the pesticide question.
There are 3 different levels of toxicity in pesticides. Certainly, the bug
spray that the public can buy at the hardware store is the least toxic, but if
it is used improperly, it will certainly cause problems. (chocolate is
harmless , but since I'm allergic, it is dangerous for me to ingest) People
forget that pesticides are not only inhaled and ingested but are absorbed
through the skin. Eye contact is a problem also. If a person has been exposed
improperly to a pesticide, the side effects will usually happen within a half
hour. nausea, diarrhea, skin irritation, etc.There is no residual left in the
body after 24 hours. Certainly, incorrect, long term exposure will cause
lasting problems but I would think that something as serious as paralysis
would happen shortly after a large overdose (a tsp.). There would be no
question as to how the poisoning happened. Malathion & DDT are nasty & I
wouldn't touch them.
I always suggest that a professional exterminator debug a house since the
general public doesn't use safeguards like they should.
Hope this helps. Christi looking forward to bug season.