‘‘sites’’ are unacceptable. Household pesticide product labels generally will indicate
that partially filled containers may be wrapped in several layers of newspaper and dis-
carded in the outdoor trash. But for many people this disposal option is neither ac-
ceptable nor environmentally sound. Unused pesticides are best disposed of by using
the products on the sites indicated on the label. Additionally, empty containers
should be discarded in the household trash so that they are not reused.^26The Ten Most Frequently Used Household Pesticides and Their EffectsThe ten most frequently used household pesticides are:- 2,4-D is the most popular, with nearly 40 million pounds a year being used
in more than 1,500 different herbicide products in the United States. It is
known to cause lymphomas and various cancers. - Diazinon is used for ant and roach sprays, and is highly toxic to birds and
fish. None of the studies performed for its registration are considered
adequate. Millions of birds are dying each year because of diazinon and other
lawn chemicals. - Carbaryl (used, for example, in flea and tick powders) kills honeybees and causes
birth defects in dogs. No studies of this compound are considered adequate. - Methoxychlor (for example, in insect sprays, cat flea powders, and fruit tree
sprays) does not have toxicity data up to current standards. - Chlordane is a known carcinogen and is no longer being manufactured, but
existing supplies are still in use. - Chlorpyrifos, used against termites and fleas, is extremely toxic to animals,
and human exposure may exceed recommended limits due to use in both
agriculture and homes. The EPA’s acceptable toxicity levels only consider food
sources, but exposure in many households is well above these levels when all
sources are considered. - Malathion is widely used in home products for roaches, as well as in gardens
for orchards and roses. - Maneb is a fungicide used in garden products, despite a complete lack of data
on home exposure, and incomplete data on the chemical. - Simazine is an herbicide used in pools and ponds to kill algae. Not enough is
known about the effects of swimming in water treated with this compound. - Captan is a fungicide used on tomatoes, vegetables, and other garden crops.
It is used on roses, fruit trees, and even in shower curtains, paints, institu-
tional bedding, and food packaging. It is a known carcinogen in animals.^27
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