| It is highly recommended for people to test for | | | | After the war, it became a popular pesticide. It |
| pesticides in their drinking water even if they live | | | | was later on discovered to be toxic and was thus |
| deep in urbanized areas and far away from | | | | banned. |
| farmland. That is because pesticides can seep into | | | | 3. Dieldrin. Dieldrin was once manufactured as an |
| the soil and travel to other areas. | | | | alternative to DDT. While it is not toxic, it is |
| Pesticides can cause various health problems | | | | considered to be an organic pollutant and is linked |
| when ingested along with drinking water. Among | | | | to diseases like Parkinson's disease and breast |
| the illnesses that pesticides cause when absorbed | | | | cancer. It was banned. |
| by the body are: | | | | 4. Endosulfan. Endosulfan is a highly toxic pesticide |
| - Allergic skin reactions such as rashes, acne, | | | | that is still being used in countries like Australia, |
| blisters and swelling | | | | India and New Zealand. Its use mainly lies in wood |
| - Swelling of the mucous membranes of the | | | | preservation and control of pests destroying |
| eyes, mouth and nose | | | | ornamental plants and agricultural crops. |
| - Shortness or rapidity of breathing due to injuries | | | | 5. Endrin. Endrin is an insecticide used to inhibit |
| to the lungs | | | | grasshoppers, voles, mice and other pests from |
| - Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps | | | | ravaging cotton, cereals, rice and other crops. It |
| and other gastrointestinal discomforts | | | | was banned in 1980. |
| - Muscular twitching, lethargy, excessive fatigue | | | | 6. Heptachlor. Heptachlor was once considered as |
| and headaches from damage to the nerves | | | | a non-agricultural pesticide, although its use is now |
| You can only know if your drinking water is | | | | limited to making underground cables and power |
| contaminated by pesticides if you test it. The | | | | transformers fire ant-proof. |
| testing can be done at home using a Water | | | | 7. Lindane. Although regulated, Lindane has seen |
| Testing Kit. Samples can also be sent to a | | | | use for killing wood-eating beetles and for treating |
| state-accredited laboratory. | | | | soil in gardens. Lindane is also a component for |
| 10 Common Pesticides Tested in Drinking Water | | | | treatments in killing fleas and lice on pets. |
| Below is a list of the ten pesticides that are most | | | | 8. Mirex. Mirex is mainly used to control ants and |
| prevalent in the water we use for drinking. Some | | | | to make items such as plastic, paper, rubber and |
| of these pesticides have been banned in the | | | | electronics resistant to fire. |
| United States, they can still emerge in drinking | | | | 9. Toxaphene. Toxaphene is still in use to manage |
| water tests because pesticides can take as much | | | | pests in cotton fields and vegetable farms, as well |
| as 50 years to contaminate water. | | | | as on poultry and livestock. Its use is highly |
| 1. Chlordane. Prior to its regulation, chlordane was | | | | regulated, however. |
| primarily used as a pesticide for corn, citrus fruits, | | | | 10. Trifluralin. Currently one of the most common |
| nuts, vegetables, and ornamental garden plants. | | | | chemicals still in use in farms today, trifluralin is |
| Nowadays, chlordane is only allowable for use to | | | | mainly an herbicide used to kill weeds and other |
| kill fire ants on power transformers. | | | | unwanted plants. |
| 2. DDT. DDT, which is short for | | | | If you think your water supply is compromised, |
| Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane, was popular | | | | go for a drinking water test. Contact your local |
| during the Second World War as an insecticide, | | | | authorities for help if your drinking water is found |
| often used against mosquitoes causing malaria. | | | | to be contaminated by pesticides. |