Household Insecticides Linked to Lupus and Arthritis

New research out of Philadelphia suggests a link between women’s exposure to household insecticides (including roach and mosquito killers) and the autoimmune disorders rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Previous research has shown a link of agricultural pesticides to higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Autoimmune diseases are diseases where the immune system goes haywire and begins to attack the body. Farmers were shown to be a high risk group for this reason.

Women who reported applying insecticides had a higher risk of developing the two autoimmune disorders than women who reported no insecticide use, whether or not they had lived on a farm. Those who used the insecticide the most often and most frequently had double the risk.

“I would recommend that people read the labels and take precautions to minimize their personal exposure. This is the case regardless of whether these results are implicating a chemical that’s on the market now or was before,” said Christine Parks, epidemiologist with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, to USA today reporter.

More research will be needed to nail down the direct link between insecticides and autoimmune disease. The researchers examined data from a previous study of almost 77,000 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79. Their findings were to be released Monday at the American College of Rheumatology’s annual scientific meeting in Philadelphia.

The insecticides implicated in the study include insect killers, such as those designed to eradicate ants, wasps, termites, mosquitoes and roaches. They didn’t include insect repellents.

By Daniel Hohler, Green Options

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Kamryn M.

7:46AM PST on Jan 26, 2012

yuck.

send a green star

KS G.

4:53AM PST on Jan 26, 2012

Thanks for the article.

Danuta W.

3:06AM PST on Jan 26, 2012

Great article. Thanks.

Brenda T.

7:31AM PST on Jan 20, 2011

Thanks for the information. It would be useful to know what chemicals are involved!

Patricia B.

6:55PM PDT on Sep 29, 2010

Buen artículo.

go G.

12:59PM PDT on Sep 29, 2010

i use orange peel oil to kill unwanted insects. you 'd find it in health food store..

Mari '.

3:36AM PDT on Sep 29, 2010

A lot of Autism cases will be linked to environmental causes as well.

Philippa P.

1:37AM PDT on Sep 15, 2010

Very interesting info.

Adriana v.

9:22AM PDT on Jul 24, 2010

Ahh, I've always had this idea, so it does not surprise me one bit. I've also Lupus SLE.
Wishing Lare Case and her daugher all the best. :)

Debbie G.

2:59PM PDT on Jul 23, 2010

Good article, although I wished it included information on what chemical(s) could be the culprits. I have my home exterminated by a company that claims that their indoor insecticide is not toxic, but I would like to know what chemical to look for. Thanks.