Imagine using products in your yard that have been linked to cancer, neurological damage, leaky gut and inflammation…
Most people would say that there's no way they would use them…
However, chances are you do!
These chemicals are hiding in some of the most common brand names on the market!
So what are these dangerous chemicals and where are they found?
Many common weed killers, mosquito treatments, fire ant treatments, flea and tick shampoo all contain harmful pesticides.
These toxins are hiding in your yard! (well maybe)
So let's break down some of these pesticides and toxins…
2,4 D - is a systemic herbicide which selectively kills most broad-leaved weeds. People can be exposed to herbicides by breathing them in, by skin contact from their residential use, living near application sites, by eating contaminated food, or drinking contaminated water. Oral ingestion is associated with neuritis, weakness, nausea, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, peripheral neuropathy, stupor, seizures, brain damage, and impaired reflexes. 2,4-D is a known endocrine disruptor and can block hormone distribution. It is linked to immune system damage, birth defects, and reproductive issues. It has also been classified as a possible carcinogen.
Common brands with 2.4 D:
-Vigoro Weed and Feed
-Spectracide Weed Stop
-Bioadvanced All in One Weed and Crabgrass Killer
**The home depot website has pages and pages of products with 2,4 D
Glyphosate - is the infamous RoundUp chemical that has been linked to cancer. There is an ongoing lawsuit with the makers of RoundUp for causing cancer and a study found it increases the risk of a cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma by 41%. It is used in both residential and commercial lawn services, as well as the agriculture industry as a weed killer. Glyphosate has been linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurological damage in humans. Glyphosate exposure can be through skin or through oral ingestion of food or water contaminated with glyphosate.
Common brands with Glyphosate:
-RoundUp products
Pyrethrins - are the collective name for a group of Insecticides. Pyrethroids may affect neurological development, disrupt hormones, induce cancer, and can suppress the immune system. Inhaling high levels of pyrethrins or pyrethroids may bring about asthmatic breathing, sneezing, nasal stuness, headache, nausea, incoordination, tremors, convulsions, facial itching and swelling, and burning and itching sensation.
Pyrethrins brands:
-Raid
-Most bug killers/ Insecticides such as cockroach, ant and mosquito treatments
-Flea/Tick Shampoos and treatments for dogs and cats:
-K9 Advantix, Certifect, Vectra 3D, and Activyl Tick Plus
-Lice Shampoos:
-Nix Lice, RID Lice Killing Shampoos, Equate Lice Killing Shampoo
This is just the tip of the iceberg! I encourage you to go through your garden and household products and look up the ingredients. Nowadays, there are some amazing brands that are free of these dangerous and potentially harmful ingredients.
Some of my favorite swaps are by a company called Wondercide products. They have everything from mosquito spray to flea and tick collars to cockroach spray. As for weeds, there are plenty of home recipes for an organic weed killer. I like to use vinegar mixed with a little dish soap to kill those pesky weeds.
