Worried About Pesticides? Get On A Pesticide Sensitivity Registry

Photo Credit: Flickr/ken mccown

Maybe you read my little rant last week about coming home to my condo complex and feeling a bit powerless over what toxic chemicals were being used outside my front door.  If not, click here to read Condo Dwellers Beware to read up on the back-story.

This article sparked some great discussions amongst my friends and family.  My very good friend Ed happens to work for a pest control company (yes, we are still very good friends despite what he does for a living) and he had a wonderful idea for regaining a feeling of control, or at least being informed of what is happening to the air in your immediate neighborhood whether you live in a condo or single family home.

Being certified in the application of chemicals, Ed knows the law in regards to this matter, at least as it applies in the state of Washington.  There is a state registry of individuals with chemical sensitivity.  All pest control companies have to consult this list and notify the listed each time pesticides are applied near their home.  Perfect!  Let’s all get on this registry so that we can be informed when the bug spray trucks are coming!

Easy enough if you are being treated by a physician for chemical sensitivity, but not so easy if you are a healthy individual.  You must fill out an application that is signed by your physician in order to be a part of this registry program.  Since I haven’t talked to my physician yet, I don’t know how willing she will be to sign such a document since I have not yet exhibited any signs of chemical sensitivity.  But perhaps my holistic-minded chiropractor will be willing to participate.  I say it’s worth a shot and I intend to discuss this on my next visit.

Of course, getting on this registry does not eliminate the application of pesticides in my vicinity, this just notifies me of when it is going to happen.  But being notified does a couple of things.  If you know when it is going to happen, you can make sure your windows are closed and you can stay away for a period of time in order to limit your exposure.  Maybe on spray days you work later at the office or go to dinner at a friend’s house.  Plus, you would know not to plan garden parties for those days.

The other thing the registry does is alert the ‘powers that be’ that pesticide exposure is an issue that is important to more and more people.  If the list of people requiring notifications grows and grows, someone will hopefully pay attention to that and start changing things in the pest control industry.  This may encourage the use of less toxic chemicals, chemicals that have been tested for safety, or even chemical free alternatives.  But nothing changes if we don’t say anything.

If you don’t live in Washington State, many other states appear to have similar programs.  Try an internet search of “pesticide sensitivity registry” for your state.  The Washington State program is run by the Department of Agriculture, another good place to research.  Can’t find a registry for your area or can’t get on the registry because you don’t suffer from chemical sensitivity?  Send a friendly email to your Legislator.  They really do read those things.  How do you think the registry got started in the first place?

Oh, and thanks for the great information Ed!

Eco Home Consultations provides green living consultation services in the Seattle area, focusing on practical ways to integrate green living into your household.  Learn more at www.ecohomeconsults.com or email questions about this blog or other green living issues to Melissa@ecohomeconsults.com.