Pesticides cover a large range of substances, the EPA defines them as “any substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or lessening the damage of any pest”. Pesticides used to be used in abundance and in recent times growing concerns have influenced restrictions on the amount of pesticides legally usable.
Lists of legal pesticides are available on the web and specific to different States and regions. Many pesticides have adverse health effects and natural alternatives are usually available.
If you reduce the use of pesticide and find natural alternatives to combat you weed/pest you will reduce the effect of the toxins on you and your family, or anyone else in the effected area.
Using pesticides without reading the instructions or proper dosage can result in a wide range of different health effects, depending on the pesticide, ranging from nausea to birth defects. When you do use them, adopt sensible work precautions: read safety instructions on packaging, wear gloves, don't spray them on windy days or around other people.
