Center for Environmental Oncology

Hidden Pesticides in Your Home: How to Protect Your Children

Many building and household products contain pesticides. Some pesticides have been shown to cause cancer in humans, especially when people are exposed at high levels. Furthermore, children are at increased risk for pesticide poisoning because of their smaller size and because pesticides may be stored improperly or applied to surfaces that are accessed easily by children.

PRODUCTS	PROBLEMS	SAFER ALTERNATIVES
Antibacterial soaps and Disinfectants	May contain any number of 275 different active ingredients classified by EPA as pesticides. Frequent use selects for more resistant bacteria.	Wash your hands, frequently and well, with regular soap, and teach your children to do the same.
Mothballs	Can cause serious health problems if ingested or by inhaling the fumes. 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, found in mothballs, may be reasonably anticipated to be a carcinogen.	Always keep mothballs out of reach of children. Use cedar balls or lavender sachets to ward off moths, and to freshen your home as well!
Synthetic Carpets	May contain anti-mildew pesticides, as well as toxic adhesives. Many chemicals used on carpets are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may cause carcinogens to be released into the air.	Children spend a lot of time on the floor, so it's important to choose alternative flooring options: ceramic tiles, cork or bamboo flooring, untreated hardwood, cotton or hemp rugs (with non-toxic adhesive & nonplastic backing).
Shelf Paper	Often contains pesticides to prevent insects from living in the cupboards.	Line shelves with butcher paper instead of storing dishes in direct contact with pesticides.
Wallpaper	Most wallpaper is vinyl and may contain fungicides to prevent rotting; those chemical treatments and the vinyl itself both may emit VOCs into the air.	Choose paper, straw, or bamboo wallpaper; get a low-VOC adhesive, or make your own: use a nontoxic paste of 1 cup flour (wheat, corn, or rice), 3 teaspoons alum, water, & 10 drops of clove oil (natural preservative)
Paint	Several brands contain pesticides (used to prevent mildew) and emit VOCs. Test paint chips from walls and windows for lead, especially in older houses, as lead is very dangerous to children's health.	Choose "No-VOC" or natural milk paints. Keep children away from peeling paint and dispose of paint chips by sealing them in a plastic bag and throwing the bag in the garbage.

Sources include the Children's Health and the Environment Coalition; Greenerbuilding.org, a service of the non-profit Center for ReSource Conservation in Boulder, CO; the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a US federal public health agency; and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

This flyer originally appeared as the reverse of Household Dangers to Your Pets. For information on how to get this and all other CEO-UPCI materials in hard-copy, see our materials page.