Concern over biocides grows as people realise that many of their ingredients can cause allergies, initiate cancer, promote genetic mutations and birth defects.
Much effort goes into making sure that biocides are relatively safe.
However, they are designed to kill, and just as they are effective against ants, flies and mice, so they can harm people and their pets as well as birds, butterflies, bees and spiders. In addition to the dangers of toxicity, some substances accumulate or build up in the body as we get repeated doses. The most commonly used poisons in the home are insecticides. They are mostly nerve poisons and may cause cumulative damage to the nervous system and liver, as well as be a cancer risk. They are probably the most poisonous substances that we use in our homes.