As many as 6,200 of the current preschool generation are projected to get cancer from pesticide exposure. The EPA has detected more than 132 pesticide-related compounds in ground water. Pesticide contamination has been found in ground water of at least 42 states. Over 24 percent of the shallow wells sampled by the NC Department of Agriculture in Scotland County in 1982-1983 were contaminated with the extremely dangerous pesticide Temik aldicarb. Map of ground water vulnerable to leaching.
Pesticides are unique among the hazardous chemicals.
They are specifically designed and produced to kill or disrupt biological organisms. Ideally, pesticides should be highly selective, effecting only targeted organisms, but unfortunately most are not. Herbicides, for example paraquat, not only kill green plants, but may also be acutely toxic to human beings. Others cause cancer, birth defects, genetic damage and changes in human and animal endocrine systems.