We are constantly bombarded by chemicals, both inside and outside the home. Pesticides are used in agriculture, homeowner's yards, and public parks to control weeds and pests. Many people don't realize how often they encounter harmful toxins. People come in contact with pesticides simply by walking through a treated area or eating foods grown in pesticide-laden soil.

What Happens When You're Constantly Exposed to Pesticides?

Exposure to pesticides links to several health problems, including:

• Cancer
• Hormone disruption
• Neurological damage
• Reproductive difficulties
• Learning disabilities
• Degenerative diseases

While scientists are still uncertain about the long-term effects of pesticide exposure, it's best to take steps to reduce your exposure as much as possible. Below are a few tips to reduce your exposure to pesticides.

Buy Organic Produce

One of the best ways to reduce your exposure to pesticides is to buy organic produce. Organic foods grow without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers. Look for the USDA Organic seal when you're shopping for fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and other products.

Use Backflow Preventers

Water backflow is the undesired reversal of the normal flow of water in a plumbing system. This occurs when there is a sudden change in pressure, such as when a fire hydrant opens. Backflow also occurs when the waterline breaks or when the water pressure in the system falls below the atmospheric pressure.

Sometimes, pesticides and other chemicals are drawn back into the water supply when there is a backflow event. This can contaminate the water supply and expose people to harmful toxins. To help prevent this, install a backflow prevention device in your home's plumbing system.

Avoid Treated Areas

When possible, avoid walking or driving through treated areas. If you must walk through a treated area, wear long pants and socks to protect your skin. You should also avoid eating or drinking while in the treated area.

Wash Your Produce

Even if you're buying organic produce, it's a good idea to wash your fruits and vegetables before eating them. This will help remove any residual pesticides or herbicides. You can use a vegetable brush to scrub produce or soak them in a mixture of water and vinegar for a few minutes.

Final Thoughts

Pesticides are everywhere, but with these tips to reduce your exposure to pesticides, you can minimize your risk of harmful health effects. You cannot prevent the use of pesticides. It's widely used in agriculture, public parks, and homeowner's yards to control weeds and pests. However, you can take steps to reduce your exposure as much as possible by buying organic produce, avoiding treated areas, and washing your fruits and vegetables before eating them.