Pesticides are the only toxic substances released intentionally into our environment to kill living things. This includes substances that kill weeds (herbicides), insects (insecticides), fungus (fungicides), rodents (rodenticides), and others.

The use of toxic pesticides to manage pest problems has become a common practice around the world. Pesticides are used in agricultural fields, homes, parks, schools, buildings, forests, and roads thus can be found in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink and even in breast milk

The World Health Organization (1992) reported that roughly three million pesticide poisonings occur annually and result in 220,000 deaths worldwide. Pesticides have been linked to a wide range of human health hazards, ranging from short-term impacts such as headaches and nausea to chronic impacts like

Cancer – leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, brain, bone, breast, ovarian, prostate, testicular, kidney and liver cancers)

Fertility harm – some pesticides including dibromochlorophane and 2,4-D has been associated with impaired fertility, genetic alterations in sperm, a reduced number of sperm, damage to germinal epithelium and altered hormone function.

Neurological effect – the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease is 70% greater in those exposed to even low levels of pesticides. Both insecticides and herbicides significantly increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

Endocrine disruption – such as infertility, birth defects, developmental defects in offspring, hormonal imbalance, incomplete sexual development, impaired brain development, behavioral disorders, and many others. Examples of known endocrine disrupting chemicals which are present in large quantities in our environment include ( DDT (which still persists in abundance more than 20 years after being banned in the U.S.), lindane, atrazine, carbaryl, parathion etc.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) – is a medical condition characterized by the body’s inability to tolerate relatively low exposure to chemicals. Symptoms include dizziness, cardiovascular problems, depression, muscle and joint pains.
Others are nerve, skin, and eye irritation and damage, headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and systemic poisoning, pulmonary edema, dermatitis, respiratory problems like asthma, memory disorders, depression and the list is endless.

In May 2010, scientists from the University of Montreal and Harvard University released a study that found that exposure to pesticide residues on vegetables and fruit may double a child’s risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition that can cause inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in children.

Safety Measures
All pesticides have the potential to be harmful to humans, animals, other living organisms, and the environment if used incorrectly. Ways to eliminate or at least reduce exposure include:

Wear Personal Protecting Equipment PPE such as nose mask, coverall, chemical resistant gloves, rubber boots, etc)

Use a low-toxicity pesticide when available.
Reading the label and practicing safe work habits will minimize hazards from the use of pesticides.

Store pesticides in their original containers and keep the original label attached to the container. Store in a locked cabinet and/or on a high shelf to keep out of the reach of children

Better testing. State and federal agencies should require stricter independent testing, including testing of synergistic effects of pesticides. Pesticides known or suspected of causing human health problems should be phased out.

Protect our children. Ensure strict non-toxic pest management programs for schools and homes.

Pesticide Use Reduction.
Prohibit pollution of our water and poisoning of our communities. Prevent pesticide applications to water bodies, instead using non-chemical methods of managing aquatic invasive weeds.

Education: Provide free and universal notification to residents about pesticide use, including who is using chemicals, where, when, how, what pesticides are being used, and why.

Protect workers. Provide protection to workers and farmers to prevent acute and chronic pesticide poisoning by reducing exposure and ensure appropriate use of PPE.

Source: http://safetywiseblog.com/how-to-use-pesticides-safely/