What types of pesticides are commonly used?
Insecticides Insecticides are used to control or kill insects. Organophosphate and carbamate insecticides are the most common type of insecticide used on crops and in the home. Most pesticide poisonings result from exposure to organophosphate insecticides. Organophosphate and carbamate insecticides affect the nervous system of people. Exposure to toxic amounts can cause adverse effects ranging from shortness of breath, excessive salivation, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness and chest discomfort to convulsions, paralysis and even death. Examples of Organophosphates: Chlorpyrifos (Dursban, Empire, Lorsban) Diazinon (Basudin, Knox Out, Spectracide) Malathion (Dielathion, Fyfanon, Malatox) Methyl Parathion (Bladan M, Penncap-M) Examples of Carbamates: Aldicarb (Temik) Carbaryl (Sevin) Two other types of insecticides are pyrethrins/pyrethroids and organochlorines: Pyrethrins/pyrethroids are not considered to be very toxic, although skin irritation and asthma have occurred following expo
