Every year about 30 million pounds of chlorpyrifos are sprayed into American homes, businesses and fields. Chlorpyrifos kills pests by disrupting normal nerve transmission, inhibiting an enzyme in the insect's nervous system. In humans, chlorpyrifos can cause headaches, blurred vision, nausea, convulsions, flu-like symptoms and even seizures. In extreme cases, it has been linked to quadriplegia, genetic damage, birth defects, immune-system abnormalities and death. The Trimpers are not alone in their suffering.
Studies show that chlorpyrifos is generally safe when it is used in recommended amounts.
But while chlorpyrifos is no more toxic than other pesticides, data shows it has caused the most life-threatening medical conditions of any organophosphate pesticide on the market. Organophosphates are a group of closely related pesticides that affect the nervous system. Researchers studied Poison Control Center data from 1993 to 1997 to determine the hazards of organophosphate pesticides used in homes. Of 13 insecticides analyzed, chlorpyrifos showed the highest percentage of life-threatening or fatal effects. From 1993 to 1997, one child died and 34 other children and adults suffered life-threatening illness from exposure to chlorpyrifos.