Dr. Ronald E. Gots, managing principal of the International Center of Toxicology and Medicine in Rockville, Md., has been involved in toxic exposure cases since 1975.
Pesticides can be dangerous, but they also can be used safely.
The media frequently reports instances of misuse and stories of people who believe they have been harmed by chemicals. However, overall cancer rates are down. Gots said that among false public perceptions are that all natural things are good and anything manmade is harmful. Science, however, shows that humans eat 10,000 times more naturally-occurring carcinogens than manmade ones. Another prevalent myth is that any pesticide or toxin present in the environment must be harmful.