an improperly rinsed tea machine (a similar case was also reported in Los
Angeles County).- A Marin County lifeguard mistakenly added muriatic acid to a chlorine tank.
He inhaled the resulting fumes and developed symptoms. His mother saw
him coughing and took him for medical aid.
These blunders graphically demonstrate what NOT to do as you undertake house-
hold and gardening chores or other work with pesticides. Health and safety scientists
say a few simple precautions can prevent most pesticide accidents:¥Look for the least-toxic solution to pest problems, both indoors and out.¥Read all pesticide label directions closely and follow the directions to the letter.
¥Keep pesticides in their original containers and out of children’s reach.Many home pesticide accidents occur in kitchens and bathrooms, although they
often go unreported. Children are especially vulnerable when adults put pesticides
into drinking containers, such as soda or juice bottles. Consumer pesticide products
with colorful packaging and attractive scents may also attract children.^39The Good Guys Win—SometimesWhen George and Carolyn Fox called the Orkin extermination company to spray
their house for termites in 1993, little did they know the trouble that would ensue.
The exterminator used existing stocks of the chemical chlordane, which had been
banned in 1988, and contaminated the couple’s home to the point that it was unin-
habitable. The couple sued the company, and on November 20, 1998, won the suit,
receiving almost $2 million in damages. According to theTampa Tribune, they were
awarded $200,000 for their historic home, $200,000 for mental anguish, $1.2 mil-
lion in punitive damages, and $168,000 to replace the values of antiques that Mrs.
Fox collected. The house was also condemned by state health officials.^40Final ThoughtsAlmost every household uses pesticides. But most people do not understand that
pesticides can be dangerous. Bug spray, flea powder, rat poison, and garden weed
killer are all types of pesticides. These products contain chemicals that kill pests. That
also means they can harm humans if they are not used safely.
Parents can eliminate the use of pesticides in and around their homes by using
least-toxic pest control methods, excluding pests by caulking cracks, and keeping
kitchens and other parts of the home free from food sources that attract pests. Low-
toxicity self-contained baits should be utilized instead of spraying potent toxicants
directly into the home and environment.170 | Pesticides