Pesticide sign on manicured lawn.

iStockphoto.com/Kirby Hamilton

­When you look at a pro and con list, you know what to do. You weigh the good versus the bad. Then make an educated decision. Sometimes, people forget this helpful techniq­ue and altogether beneficial things can get a bad rap. Pesticide usage may be one of those things.

Most of the available information regarding pesticides is negative, as is the public's perception of pesticide use. In fact, one researcher found that negative viewpoints outnumbered positive ones 40 to one [source: Cooper]. But obviously pesticides play an important part in our society, or they wouldn't have withstood the test of time as they have thus far. Pesticides not only help non-weed plants grow quickly and free from disease, but they keep termites out of your kitchen and your carpet flea free [source: Delaplace].

­This article will help you better understand pesticides, their uses, their benefits and how to react during pesticide-re­lated emergencies. Let's start with the basics.

Pesticides are categorized in two ways -- they can be either "domestic" or "non-domestic." Domestic pesticides, which don't require any formal training for application, are those you can buy at pretty much any retail store. They usually come in small quantities. Have low concentrations of the active chemicals. Non-domestic pesticides on the other hand, are serious business. These are usually bought in bulk and reserved for those with special training and equipment. Their higher concentrations make them unsafe for use by the non-qualified.

So you know pesticide exposure can cause poisoning, but more often than that, it prevents disease. Read on to discover just how important pesticides have become. Deep red tomatoes, vivid green peppers and bright yellow bananas await your cart. And it doesn't matter what season it is. Now, year-round you can find a variety of produce that used to be considered seasonal. You have pesticides, among other factors, to thank for this abundance of choice. Most of our food comes from farms. Lands that use pesticides. Pesticides keep insects, such as flies that might be spreading harmful diseases, off of our dinner tables [source: Cooper]. Their use saves the producer money that he would otherwise have to spend on costly equipment and fuel, allowing him to sell his produce at lower prices. Pesticide use can also help maintain healthy ecosystem balances by limiting the spread of invasive exotic species [source: Delaplace].

There are huge risks associated with the improper use of pesticides, as they are a poison that affects humans. But when used as directed, the benefits can outweigh the risks. Some of the less obvious benefits include less greenhouse gas, reduced fuel use by producers and improved shelf life, on top of the decrease in disease and suffering recognized in both humans and animals [source: Cooper].

There are definite steps you can take to use pesticides as safely as possible. Read ahead to find out how.

Why We'd Miss Pesticides
So we've come to realize what benefits they provide, but how big of a difference would it make if we banned the use of pesticides? According to Bjorn Lomborg, the author of "A Skeptical Environmentalist," it would be a big one. The lives saved from preventing poisoning would be nothing in comparison to the lives lost due to poorer diets. The increase in cost due to less productive farming and the need for more equipment would be roughly $20 billion [source: Cooper]. You should never work with hazardous materials, such as pesticides, without being prepared. So before you rush out to spray your perfectly cut lawn with the latest insect warding chemicals, do your homework.

If mixing chemicals to produce a specific pesticide, always work in a well-ventilated area. Breathing in these harmful vapors can affect your body, creating a "high" that may be a simple as dizziness, but could lead to kidney, liver or nervous system damage. First off, never use more pesticide than directed. Keep your skin covered. Avoid contact with the chemicals. This means wearing impermeable gloves as well as long pants and sleeves. Don't apply pesticides in the rain or wind, when the chemicals can be transported to undesignated areas [source: EPA].

When storing pesticides, make sure you've got the proper containers. Place them high up where children. Animals can't be exposed to them. This also prevents any damage to the containers if flooding occurs, which could spread the chemicals and cause contamination.

Before disposing of any large quantities of pesticides, contact your local Department of Natural Resources -- they'll be able to direct you of how to do so properly. Keep in mind that open dumping or burning is usually illegal.

If you're concerned about pesticide poisoning, the next page should offer some helpful information.

Clean Up!
Any time you're working with pesticides, the utmost amount of precaution should be used. Naturally, clean up should be taken very seriously. Make sure to do the proper research or recruit a trained professional to clean all materials immediately after use. When cleaning, be sure to have the proper protective materials, including protective rubber gloves and apron, goggles and a respirator if there will be a lot of fumes [source: Baker]. There are two kinds of poisoning: acute and chronic. Acute poisoning occurs when an individual is exposed to a single dose of pesticide. You may recognize immediate and drastic symptoms, or find that their onset is delayed. Chronic poisoning, on the other hand, is the result of repeated exposure to the harmful chemicals over a long period of time. This is most common among the farmers. Producers who use pesticides regularity on their land. Symptoms can include nervousness, slowed reflexes, irritability and an overall decrease in health [source: Cornell].

Some common symptoms associated with mild acute pesticide poisoning include: headache, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, restlessness, nervousness, perspiration, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, thirst, moodiness, soreness, skin irritations, eye irritations and irritations of the nose and throat [source: Cornell]. Be sure to monitor closely the health of anyone who is exposed to doses of pesticides. Take immediate action if you believe there is a chance of poisoning. Most cases of pesticide poisoning are mild. Can be easily treated. To find out what you should do if you experience pesticide poisoning, read on.

It Caused What?
Pesticides are tricky business. They're complex, so naturally they can cause some complex reactions. Some strange side effects that certain strains of poisoning have caused include leaving a metallic taste in the victim's mouth or even excessive hair growth or loss [source Reigart]. First and foremost, if this is an emergency and you believe you or someone around you may have pesticide poisoning, call 911 or contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

To protect those around you, have­ a first aid kit at the ready that includes eye wash, clean water, syrup of ipecac, activated charcoal powder, soap, disposable towels and clean clothing [source: Andre]. Also, make sure you have a phone list prepared and easily accessible with the phone numbers of your local poison control and emergency health center. The pesticide label should tell you whether or not the victim should actually drink water to dilute the chemicals. This is not always the appropriate route though, so read the label carefully.

Read the label or contact a professional to find out if vomiting should be induced. You can induce by using a dose of syrup of ipecac or by sticking your finger into the victim's mouth until you touch the back of his or her throat. Never induce vomiting on a victim who is lying down or unconscious as this may cause choking.

If any animals have been exposed to pesticides, you should take them to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. If they have already started to show signs of poisoning, which include unconsciousness, bleeding, trouble breathing or seizures, contact an emergency pet clinic immediately. The ASPCA offers an animal poison consultation at 1-800-246-4435 [source: NPIC].

For additional information, check out the links on the following page.

Not to be Forgotten
­Pesticides are beneficial and important, but people are justified in their skepticism toward them. In December of 1984, the world heard of a tragedy in Bhopal, India. A pesticide-manufacturing plant leaked 42 metric tons of a deadly pesticide gas into its poverty-stricken town. As a result, nearly 2,500 deaths were realized on top of more than 200,000 injuries. While contaminations this vast are a rarity, they certainly put pesticides under tough scrutiny [source: Mourin].S. EPA: Landscaping with Native Plants

American Nursery & Landscape Association

Ecological Landscaping Association

Andre, Paul, and Fred Fishel. "Pesticide Poisoning Symptoms and First Aid." University of Missouri. Accessed 11/22/2008. http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/agengin/g01915.htm

Baker, David E. "Pesticide Application Safety." University of Missouri. Accessed 11/22/2008.http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/agengin/g01916.htm

Cooper, Jerry and Hans Dobson. "Pesticides and Humanity." Natural Resources Institute. Accessed 11/22/2008.www.croplifeasia.org/ref_library/cropLifeInternational/Pesticides%20and%20humanity,%20benefits.pdf

Cornell University. "Symptoms of Pesticide Poisoning." Cornell University Pesticide Management Education Program. Accessed 11/22/2008.http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/facts-slides-self/core-tutorial/module09/

Delaplace, Keith S. " Pesticide Usage in the United States: History, Benefits, Risks, and Trends." Accessed 11/22/08.http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/B1121.htm

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "Pesticide Safety Tips." Accessed 11/22/2008.http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/pest_ti.htm

Mourin, Jennifer. "Global "No Pesticides Used' Day." Pesticide Action Network. Accessed 11/22/2008. http://www.poptel.org.uk/panap/archives/lasfc2k.htm

National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC). "Pesticide Quick FAQ's." Accessed 11/22/2008.http://npic.orst.edu/qfaq.html

New Brunswick, Department of Environment. "Lawn Care and Pesticide Use." Accessed11/22/08www.gnb.ca/cnb/promos/pest/PDF/pesticides.options.paper-e.pdf

Reigart, J. Routt and James R. Roberts. "Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings." EPA. Accessed 11/22/2008 http://npic.orst.edu/rmpp.htm

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