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Pesticides promise convenience, but at what cost? Explore how these chemicals harm people, pollinators, and the planet—and what you can do about it.

Every day, we’re exposed to pesticides...

...through the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the greenspaces where we live, work, and play. These chemicals aren’t just a nuisance; they’re dangerous. Studies link them to cancer, hormonal disruption, reproductive problems, kidney and liver damage, and nervous system disorders.

The impacts aren’t shared equally. Black, Indigenous, and low-income communities in the U.S. face higher exposure and greater harm, making pesticide use both a public health and environmental justice issue.

The Ripple Effect of Pesticides

From humans to wildlife to the planet itself, pesticides leave a mark.

Human Health
Daily exposure can disrupt hormones, harm reproductive health, and increase the risk of cancer.
Biodiversity Loss
Bees, birds, fish, and countless other creatures are poisoned, weakening ecosystems and pollination.
Climate Change
Pesticide production and use emit greenhouse gases and degrade soil’s natural carbon-capturing ability.

Pesticides threaten our health.

Pesticides interfere with the endocrine system, disrupting hormones that regulate growth, reproduction, and metabolism. These chemicals can mimic natural hormones, block receptors, or alter hormone production, leading to fertility issues, miscarriage, and low birth weight.

Hormonal disorders like endometriosis and PCOS are worsened by exposure, and male reproductive health is impacted through reduced sperm count and DNA damage. Pesticides are also linked to increased risk of cancers, including breast and ovarian, and even childhood cancers through parental exposure.

These toxins are not limited to food—they can be present in period products made from conventionally farmed cotton. Vaginal and vulvar tissues absorb chemicals directly, and studies have found PFAs in many products. Choosing organic period products, eating organic produce, and supporting chemical-free companies can help reduce exposure.

Despite being only 2.4% of cultivated land, cotton farms use 16% of the world’s insecticides.

These pesticides remain in the cotton when it is manufactured into menstrual products.

Wildlife are under threat.

Pollinators and small animals are vital to ecosystems, but pesticides have devastated their populations. Bee colonies have dropped 90% since 1962, and a single contaminated bee can weaken an entire hive. Birds, squirrels, rabbits, spiders, and beetles are also poisoned directly or through their food, while habitat loss and chemical bioaccumulation compound the problem.

Without these species, pollination falters, gardens fail, and crops like blueberries and cherries suffer. Avoiding pesticides in yards, supporting pollinator-friendly farms, and spreading awareness can help protect these crucial animals and the ecosystems they support.

Bee colonies have declined by 90% since 1962.

This dramatic loss threatens pollination, food production, and the balance of ecosystems, putting both wildlife and humans at risk.

Industrial agriculture locks farmers into harmful cycles.

Modern industrial agriculture relies on genetically engineered monocultures designed to survive repeated pesticide use. This approach depletes soil, kills beneficial microbes, reduces biodiversity, and forces farmers into cycles of ever-increasing chemical use.

Farmworkers face frequent exposure, with thousands suffering acute illness each year and many more enduring chronic effects like cancer or infertility. Corporations control most seeds, driving up costs and enforcing patent rules that trap farmers financially. Supporting local, organic, and multi-crop farms and choosing sustainably grown produce can help break this cycle.

Glyphosate is the world’s most used pesticide.

Found in Roundup-resistant crops, this probable carcinogen contaminates fields, waterways, and food, exposing humans and wildlife to serious health risks.

Pesticides fuel the climate crisis.

Pesticides aren’t just toxic—they also worsen climate change. Most are petroleum-based, meaning their production burns fossil fuels and emits greenhouse gases. They also damage soil, disrupting the microbes that naturally capture and store carbon. Weak soil holds less water, making farms and landscapes more vulnerable to droughts, floods, and extreme weather. Monocultures reliant on heavy chemical use are especially fragile. Reduced biodiversity leaves crops defenseless against pests and disease, creating a cycle where more pesticides are applied, further degrading soil and increasing emissions.

Lawns aren't so innocent either.

Perfectly manicured lawns are a cultural ideal that often rely on toxic chemicals and excessive water. Maintaining them may look harmless, but the pesticides used to keep grass green poison the environment and wildlife.

Taking action, one step at a time.

Pesticides impact human health, wildlife, and the climate, but solutions are within reach. Eating and buying organic reduces chemical exposure, avoiding pesticides in lawns and gardens protects both people and pollinators, and choosing safer period products prevents hidden toxin absorption. Supporting pollinator-friendly farms and advocating for sustainable agriculture policies amplifies change on a larger scale.

Knowledge is power: understanding the risks, making informed choices, and spreading awareness can protect health, restore ecosystems, and build a chemical-free future.

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