Whether you are doing your own pest control, or hiring a professional exterminator to come out to your house, the level of pesticide residue within homes across the country is rising. One recent study revealed that approximately 75% or U.S. homes had used at least one indoor pest control product during that year.

Additionally, a different study was done to test whether or not the exposure to pesticides are experienced more outdoors or indoors and it showed that as much as 80% of people were exposed to multiple different kinds of pesticides, within their homes.

The EPA has employed resources to discover the indoor air quality that people are experiencing on a daily basis. They are finding that a majority of the households tested have measurable amounts of pesticides in the air and that a good portion of these pesticide residues cannot be accounted for from the number of times a pesticide was deployed in the homes.

So what are these additional sources of pesticides that are being found? The EPA suggests that they are either brought in from outside via dirt or dust, containers that are being used to store pesticides, or certain types of surfaces that absorb the pesticides and then release them later on.

Types of Pesticides Found

Several different types of pesticides have been found, most of which include those used for controlling various kinds of insects, rodents, fungi, and disinfectants. A majority of households across the U.S., especially in the south, have had to use some kind of pesticide for controlling termites. Termite control product residues were also found heavily throughout the study.

Pesticide Threats

Fortunately the level of threat that commercial and residential pesticides have posed to U.S. households has declined over the last decade, due to the advancements and sophistication of modern pesticides and how they are applied. Back in 1990, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported almost 80,000 exposures of children to popular household pesticides. As sad as they may sound, this same organization also found that half of those families, with children under the age of five, had stored those pesticides in a place that could be reached by children.

The truth is that pesticides can be very safe products, but people need to read the labels and follow the directions to ensure their safe use.

Effects on Health

There are many different effects that pesticides can have one people. Some of these include: damage to the central nervous system, including the kidney, headaches, damage to the liver, an increased risk of cancer, and muscular weakening. These are just of few of the different kinds of effects that pesticides can have on people when used incorrectly. Some side-effects of certain pesticides, including cyclodiene, have been so severe that such products are prohibited now.

What Can Be Done?

There are a few things you can and should to do keep your home safe from negative pesticide effects, specifically the air quality inside your home. First of all, always read the labels and directions of any pest control product you intend to use, before you even open it. Once you have READ THE LABEL, comply with the following recommendations:

• Mix or prepare the pesticide outdoors.
• DO NOT apply more than the recommended amount.
• Open all windows and doors when applying inside your home, until you are done and everything is dry.
• If you can, use alternate methods of pest control, that don’t require the use of chemicals.
• When finished, do not store the left over pesticides inside your home. Throw away all containers used to apply the pesticide, if they are not meant to be re-used.

So, Are Pesticides Safe?

While there are some risks associated with certain pesticides, it is also true that most commercial and residential pest control products on the market today have proven to be effective means of pest control. As long as all labels and directions are strictly followed, many pest products on the market today can be considered safe solutions to pest problems.

About the Author

Written By Jon Sams

If you would like to learn more professional grade pesticides that are both safe and effective, please visit www.domyownpestcontrol.com.

Sushi is an ancient and traditional Japanese food. When prepared with all due professional care it is both safe and delicious.However there are real dangers if the Sushi is not prepared correctly.

Boiled cod’s roe. Fresh roe is available during the early months when the fish are spawning. Bought at a Sushi bar you will see the Roe as hard orange balls and they will often be served on top of other foods on the table. The roe is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids which have a reputation as being good for protecting against heart disease. However the roe is also high in cholesterol and purines. The latter is bad news if you suffer from gout.

Salt. Traditionally the Sushi will be low in salt but when you add soy sauce the salt levels increase substantially. Soy sauce is made from fermented soya beans and should be avoided by anyone with high blood pressure. Historically Sushi was fermented fish and rice preserved in salt but these days the salt component is traditionally much lower.

Roundworms and other parasites. Sushi should have been frozen for at least 24 hours at minus 20 degrees Celsius. This would normally kill any roundworms in the meat. However if the Sushi is not prepared correctly then roundworms can enter your gut where they will attach themselves to the lining of the stomach and intestines. This can result in abdominal pains, nausea and diarrhoea.Salmon and mackerel are also associated with parasites which can find their way into improperly prepared Sushi.

Mercury. More commonly associated with Sushi which uses Tuna as opposed to Albacore and Yellowfin fish. Pregnant women are particularly at risk from mercury which can cause cerebral palsy, blindness and deafness.

Bacteria. Staphylococcus aureas is the most common bacteria in Sushi and is usually associated more with the rice than the fish element. The rice has to be chilled very soon after it is made to prevent the bacteria forming on its surfaces. Make sure that the Sushi is stored in a chiller cabinet. Historically the fish was fermented with rice but then the rice was discarded. These days the rice is a common element of Sushi.

Fugu. The puffer fish, fugu or river pig is a well known and potentially deadly ingredient in Sushi.Sale of the puffer fish is limited to strictly accredited master chefs and consumption should be approached with extreme care.

In conclusion Sushi can be a delicious and highly nutritious meal. But it has to be prepared correctly and all diners need to be aware of the risks.

Citations:

• Wikipedia on Sushi

Christopher Kelvin wrote the above article on Sushi. He lives and works in Northumberland.

Fall is one of the best times for running, walking, biking or other outdoor activities. Is there anything better than running or cycling in crisp air? It is not so hot that you burn up with sweat, but not too cold or icy that it is impossible to go outdoors. You can enjoy all of the pretty fall colors and take in the scenery as you stay fit or lose unwanted pounds. However, the proper fitness gear for fall can be a challenge. You need to bundle up a bit, but true cold weather gear will still be too warm. Here are a few things to consider.

1) Dress in layers: Wear layers for flexibility. For example, wear a long sleeve or short sleeve tech shirt under a light jacket that you can later take off and tie around your waist or stuff in a bag. Take a hat and gloves when it is chilly, but be sure to also have pockets, a bag, or a running belt that you can put them in when you invariably get warm later into the activity.

2) Invest In a Light Water Resistant Jacket: Fall time brings sudden rains depending upon which region of the U.S. you live in, and it also brings nippy air and wind. While exercising, you will want to keep warm, yet also be able to remove sweat away from the body so that you will not get chilled. You will also want something form-fitting without a lot of bulk so that you can run freely. Look for light jackets with good ventilation and that are made with wicking fabrics. Test the jacket for ease of tying around your waist or stuffing in a bag, as you may find that you want to start and finish activities with it, but wish to leave it off during the high intensity portions of your exercise.  Check various running gear reviews, for the top jackets for both men and women.

3) Buy Light Tights or Pants: Many runners find that they can comfortably run in shorts and long sleeves down to temperatures as low as 40 degrees, and even walkers and cyclists will often prefer to have less on their legs in cool weather. If you buy tights, keep in mind that your legs typically will not feel as cold as the rest of your body. So save the thick tights and pants for true winter weather and buy a set of tights that are the thin side and that have excellent wicking abilities.

4) Wear Proper Shoes and Socks: Sometimes your thin soled shoes and thin socks that you wore all summer won’t quite cut it in the fall when a bit more warmth is desired. Look for good wicking socks that are thick enough to keep things warm, yet will remove sweat from your feet. Durable shoes with a breathable upper will also help keep air circulation moving, while also being able to withstand any surprises from the weather.

5) Don’t forget to hydrate: When the temperatures are cool, it is easy to forget to keep drinking. Hydration is just as important in the fall as it is in summer, so bring your water bottle and keep taking in fluids.

About the Author

Carleen Coulter is the editor of RunGadget, where you can find information on running gear and gadgets, such as the best clothing or best GPS watch for your running needs.