Indoor pesticides: what precautions should you take in your home?

What types of pesticides are used indoors?

Products designated as pesticides include different types of products used to combat organisms considered harmful: fungi, insects, mites, rodents, weeds or bacteria.

Among these products, we find

• insecticides to kill certain insects (anti-lice, anti-flea, anti-moth, anti-mite products, etc.),
• chemical repellents (anti-mosquito, anti-rodent, anti-aphid spray, etc.),
• fumigation treatments.

Pesticides: widespread indoor use

The National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) carried out a national survey on the domestic use of pesticides. The results of this “Pesti’Home” study, published in September 2019, show that the use of these products is widespread in homes.

Three in four households (75%) say they have used a pesticide indoors at least once over the past year.

THE insecticides are among the most used products. These are mainly biocides used against flying insects (40% of households) and crawling insects (28%), and veterinary drugs to fight against parasites in pets (61% of households with a pet report using them). ).

Herbicides and products against outdoor plant diseases are in second position. They are used in gardens, on terraces or balconies. THE “human skin repellents”like mosquito sprays, “used by 12% of users with a significant frequency (at least six uses per year for half of households and more than 25 times per year for a quarter of households)” come in third position.

While the population is particularly aware of the risks linked to pesticides used for gardening and agriculture, it seems that the French are less careful when it comes to using pesticide products indoors.

The study tells us that the instructions for use and storage of these products are not always respected by users and that very often users do not know where to throw away unused products that are still full.

Gold, these chemicals are not harmless. LThe molecules of these domestic pesticides are the same as those that can be used for outdoor uses (gardening for example). LThe substances they contain may have dangerous effects on human health (endocrine disruptors…).

Pesticides: what are the health risks when used indoors?

Since pesticides are intended to destroy living organisms, they are likely to have effects on human health and the environment.

Used incorrectly, they can also cause health problems in the event of an accident through direct contact (acute effects).

In addition, the use of pesticides in a closed indoor environment increases the concentration of harmful compounds in the air in the home and the dust we breathe, compared to outdoor use. These indirect exposures, but frequent or repeated, are also not without danger.

Risks in case of direct exposure to highly concentrated toxic substances (acute effects)

Manifestations can be limited to specific and identifiable signs:

• irritations or allergies of the skin and mucous membranes (red patches on the skin, etc.);
• vomiting, sore throat, abdominal pain if swallowed;
• cough, difficulty breathing, asthma if inhaled;
• damage to one or more organs or systems (nervous system, liver, kidney in particular).

In cases of exposure to high doses, the person may suffer from convulsions, coma which can lead to death.

In the event of poisoning or exposure to a pesticide, contact the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes poison control center at 04.72.11.69.11 (24/7).

Risks in case of exposure to weakly concentrated products, but very frequently and repetitively (chronic effects)

Prolonged exposure can lead to:

• hormonal imbalances (endocrine disruptors) which can cause damage to the thyroid, sperm quality and fertility;
• an increase in learning and attention disorders in children;
• an increased risk of developing cancer (leukemia, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, etc.).

Pesticides in your home: what are the right reflexes to have to protect your health?

Bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, garage… As many rooms as there are possible uses of pesticides, whether to get rid of insects or mites on carpets, furniture, mattresses, pets or still on his body.

These products are not harmless, it is important to adopt good practices to protect your health.

If you live in a home where you suspect the presence of bedbugs, consult the page dedicated to the fight and prevention against bedbugs.

Choose alternatives.

When possible, choose other healthier and equally effective solutions in your interior.

Choose natural products and repellents.

THE black soap, baking soda, lemon, linseed oil or white vinegar are effective and more natural alternatives to get rid of harmful species in your home. THE essential oils can also be real allies (lavender, peppermint, lemon, clove etc.) provided that you select the oils recommended according to the situation.

Do not hesitate to choose products using these natural solutions in their composition or to make natural solutions yourself, making sure to inform yourself in advance about the production instructions to follow (dosage, etc.).

Use barrier objects.

For this, do not hesitate to favor theuse of mosquito nets or physical traps (rodent or fly type).

Also take the opportunity to check that your food or your food waste is inaccessible insects and rodents. Make sure you store your food properly (airtight containers in your cupboards, high pantries in your garage, etc.) and dispose of your food waste in lidded trash cans.

Reduce sources of exposure in your home.

It may be useful to check that your frames and openings in your home are airtight. Cracks in your walls or micro-openings in your doors and windows can be access routes to your home for insects. By blocking them correctly, you avoid unnecessary inconvenience.

When using, be sure to follow the following instructions:

When you have no other alternatives to pesticides, be sure to use them while respecting these few measures.

Before using pesticides:

• Select suitable products. Make sure the product is indicated in your situation.
• Take care respect the precautions for use before using pesticides in your home. Do not hesitate to carefully consult the instructions for use on the packaging to find out how to use the product safely.

When using pesticides:

• Respect the recommended doses. Too large a dose is not necessarily more effective and you expose yourself to the risk of poisoning.
• Be sure to apply your product in a ventilated area and wearing sufficient protection (wearing gloves, glasses, blouse, etc.).
• Keep vulnerable people away (children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, etc.) when applying the product in question.
• Avoid smoking, drinking or eating during application. These are fewer risks of ingestion.

After using pesticides:

• Wash your hands thoroughly.
• Respect waiting times indicated for the product during which one should not return to the treated area or come into contact with the treated animal.

• Clean surfaces who have been in contact with the product and ventilate the room long enough in which you used the product (at least 10 minutes).

• Store your pesticide products correctly.

Be sure to store them in a sufficiently ventilated and ventilated place and keep them in their original packaging.

• Throw away or return your leftover unused products to the recycling center.

Pesticide products are considered hazardous waste which must be treated in a specific manner and not thrown anywhere. Above all, they should not be thrown into trash cans (household waste or selective sorting) or into pipes (toilet, sink) as this could cause pollution risks or accidental exposure.

They must therefore be placed in a recycling center in order to be sorted correctly.