Health effects of toxic herbicides on your body and brain – seek claim!

Updated on October 6, 2021

You come in contact with chemicals in different forms. The water you drink from the tap, food you eat, and even the air you breathe have toxic chemicals. Not scaring or seeding phobia in your mind, let’s talk about facts to understand the truth. Some of you might come in direct contact while spraying week killer in the garden and some from the fresh apple you bought from the store that contains residue pesticides. Association of chemicals is on an everyday basis, and now, sadly, it is unavoidable.

Specific pesticides and connection with diseases

The evidence says that pesticide use leads to diseases like Parkinson’s. But what are the specific pesticides that cause this illness – or are all pesticides associate with it? Studies reveal that certain chemicals pose a threat to the brain and result in neurological disorders. A recent study review has proven that the chemical that increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease is Paraquat. Exposure to this toxin leads to 2-3 folds of increased risk over the people. Exposure to certain chemicals has harmful effects on the body and brain. 

  • Glyphosate: In a 2018 study of the Brazil University of Campinas, a chemical test showed the threat of PD on glyphosate and its metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA). These are commonly available in garden stores in the name of ‘weed killer.’ There were significant associations of these toxins to various diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Cancer, and Autism.
  • Paraquat: A UCLA study in 2013 revealed that exposure to the herbicide Paraquat increases the risk of PD. This weed killer is commonly in use for farming and also for a private gardens. There are several other studies and research associated with it. 
  • Rotenone: A study from Korea’s Yonsei University reveals the broad spectrum of chemicals that harm the human body. It damages the brain cells by producing reactive oxygen species in intercellular molecules, leading to oxidative stress and harming the cells. It disrupts the body’s mitochondria, which is vital in generating cells that provide energy for cell survival. And this chemical particularly degenerates the brain cells, resulting in never-related diseases.
  • Benomyl: A research from UCLA found that Benomyl fungicide blocks multiple cell processes in the human body. One of the significant damages is the block of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). The ALDH increases the dopamine metabolite 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde that supports in production of neurons to increase the dopamine in the brain. These toxic chemicals damage the neurotransmitters and block the dopamine that helps the human body with movement. 

The correlation is simple: mitochondria damage and oxidative stress are the common causes of risk increase in PD patients. Interestingly, both Rotenone and Paraquat are farm pesticides; therefore, the use of these chemicals happens in large quantity. The worst information here is that Rotenone is plant extraction, and hence, the label says natural pesticide. Nevertheless, both are toxins and lead to brain degeneration. 

Today there is an application of more than five billion pounds of these toxic chemicals on our crops. These are also commonly in use for household gardens and other areas of insects. This means there is not just damage to the present generation but also the future generation of humans.

Other harmful chemicals that lead to disease are Organochlorine and Organophosphate pesticides linked to increased PD. Since the study is still in progress, there are no significant conclusions. Many of these pesticides are on high sale in garden stores and home stores as herbicides. However, all these have proven connections to the release of neurotoxins. 

The list of these toxic chemicals is long – organochlorine hydrocarbons include hexachlorocyclohexane, gamma- hexachlorocyclohexane, lindane, endosulfan, chlordane, heptachlor, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, kelevan, mirex, toxaphene, and isobenzan. All these chemicals affect the nervous system by damaging the potassium, sodium, calcium ion channels.

Many of the organochlorines have a worse replacement of organophosphates. These harm the neurons by blocking the acetylcholinesterase enzymes that results in weakness of nerves and even paralysis. Further research confirms that the effect of these killer chemicals is not just on adults but more on children. Exposure to these pesticides leads to the brain development of children under the age of nine. 

Nobody is unaffected by toxic chemicals.

Whether you handle pesticides on the farm or believe in using plant-based for your garden – exposure to pesticide residue is on all. Review research by Cornell University states, 70-90% of seasonal fruits and vegetables contain pesticide residue, with at least 5% of total pesticide levels more than the FDA tolerance amount.

Health effects due to the chemicals 

The above study is enough to prove that everybody on this planet is consuming or exposed to killer chemicals in some way or another. The cost of organic fruits and vegetables is higher in stores. But the health cost we pay on the consumption of toxins and get liver disorders, nerve damage, and Cancer is unimaginable. 

These chemical are a significant environmental hazard as, these damages the bee colonies, waterways and soil. The farms and fields are under permanent damage. 

The Respiratory system damages: Health effects to the respiratory system are asbestosis, lung diseases, chronic bronchitis, fibrosis, emphysema, and a decrease in oxygen supply.

Example from day-to-day life and surroundings: old insulation, old batteries, degreasers, car exhaust, unvented furnaces, faulty furnaces, wood burn.

The Renal system damages: There are several health effects that arise from direct or indirect exposure to the chemicals. Decrease in blood flow, kidney cancer, decrease inability to filter the blood, urine problems, kidney tissue damage, and problems with excretion.

Example from day-to-day life and surroundings:old batteries and cigarette smoking, old paint and expired plumbing, thermometers, certain fishes, food and water contamination, vicinity to nuclear test areas, degreasers, paint removers, dry cleaning solution.

Cardiovascular damages: Heart failures and loss of blood supply to other body parts. Significant damage can be to blood, arteries, veins, capillaries, and heart.

Example from day-to-day life and surroundings:car exhaust, unvented furnaces, industrial production, fertilizers, auto part cleaners and paint removers.

The Reproductive system – Major ailments that affect productivity in males and females. Damage to uterus, bladder, vagina,testicles, semi vesicles, prostate glands, penis and ovaries. It leads to disability of reproductive organs and results in congenital disabilities.

Example from day-to-day life and surroundings: certain fishes, coal-burning power, car exhaust, faulty furnaces, old paints and dilapidated plumbing.

The Nervous system – Possible health effects are difficulty to move, loss of feelings, confusion, depression, speech disability, sight loss, memory loss, and muscular strength and coordination loss.

Example from day-to-day life and surroundings:Rice, dark meat fish, chicken,discarded batteries, rat poison and insects killers.

The Immune system: Damage to the skin, vision, hair loss, lymph system, bones, blood, and entire autoimmunity, industrial waste, fishes from dirty water, 

Example from day-to-day life and surroundings:cigarette smoke, vehicles exhaust, and asphalt roads, inorganic fruits and vegetables, old paints and dilapidated plumbing

The Derma diseases: Skin rashes, skin cancer, redness, discoloration, dermatitis, irritation, and organs failures due to skin infections.

Example from day-to-day life and surroundings:home cleaning products like disinfectants, old paints, adhesives, building supplies, fishes from contaminated waters, thermostats, thermometers, cement.

The Hepatic System: The body function that breaks down the food and stores nutrients to build protein that helps in blood clots; purification of drugs, contaminants, and chemicals is by the hepatic system. The possible harmful effects are liver damage, veins blockages, tumors, and accumulation of fat.

Example from day-to-day life and surroundings:auto part cleaners and paint removers, pipe sealer, adhesives.

A simple approach to reduce the exposure and intake of chemicals

  • Be aware of what chemicals are present in everyday products
  • Be mindful of the local contamination, pollution, and hot spots of the surroundings.
  • Regular washing of hands, especially after return from outside, touching the garden tools and pets
  • Be aware of the labels on food products that warm about chemicals
  • Thorough washing of fruits and vegetables before consumption
  • Not using or burning treated wood
  • Maintaining good personal hygiene
  • Proper ventilation of living spaces
  • Proper disposal of old batteries and other electronic goods
  • Avoiding cigarette smoking and vaping
  • Using the paints and other chemicals for house renovation with appropriate guidelines
  • Limiting the intake of fish that contains high mercury

Contact personal injury lawyer 

On the diagnosis of PD or any neurological illness, then there must be a link between exposures to Paraquat to file a lawsuit against the offender. You can contact your attorney, who can file a case to prove that your illness is because of the use or indirect exposure to the chemicals. 

A strong case will only help you get the settlement amount. There are different types of proof like the type of exposure, how and when you found the PD symptoms, any change in your lifestyle and correlation of chemicals to your daily life. On building solid paperwork, you can fight in court and seek justice.

You must not fall under the trap of any personal settlement offers from the industry owner and not succumb to the offer; rather discuss with your lawyer about your right. The lawyer will collate all the proofs to build the link between your exposure to the chemical and you have all the evidence to claim highest compensation. 

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The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.