[fireman15]

I am not buying it. Pesticides are always #1 on the greenies list of bad stuff. The ban on DDT is now responsible for deaths of countless millions of people in 3rd world countries. It is still the greatest pesticide ever conceived. It is truly is less toxic than aspirin to people yet it is the one of the most vilified compounds in history.

[nickcarraway]

On the other hand, local agencies are making decisions about what to spray, and often they are not competent to make these decisions.

[CodeToad]

“I am not buying it. Pesticides are always #1 on the greenies list of bad stuff. The ban on DDT is now responsible for deaths of countless millions of people in 3rd world countries. It is still the greatest pesticide ever conceived. It is truly is less toxic than aspirin to people yet it is the one of the most vilified compounds in history.
“

Worth repeating. Toss in the Ozone Hole and the hairspray propellant CFC. The greenies/liberals demanded we ban the stuff, we did, yet the Ozone Hole is still there.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

I agree with your premise about the positive aspects of pesticides, but I am also very concerned about the effects of agents that have known neurotoxic effects. Children should not be exposed to organophosphates.

[riri]

My husband's father family was in the pest control business when he was a kid.

He tells stories of playing in rooms with all the chemicals around, open containers--harrowing by today's standards.

My husband is still alive and my FIL is still a healthy old guy.

Strange thing, his father (NOT in the pest control business) died of colon cancer before the age of 35.