RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—Can bed bugs and silverfish cause lupus? Well, not exactly, but new research suggests that the toxic insecticides some people to use kill household pests may increase their risk of developing lupus, a rare autoimmune disease. Lupus symptoms of inflammation and pain can range from mild to very serious, sometimes affecting many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, and heart. The study was presented at the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting in Philadelphia.
THE DETAILS: Researchers analyzed data on more than 75,000 women aged 50 to 79 who had participated in the Women's Health Initiative Observational study, and found that those who self-reported spraying insecticides at least six times a year increased their risk of developing lupus or rheumatoid arthritis by about 2½ times when compared with the people who didn't use insecticides. Women in the study who said they hired a gardening or lawn company to apply insecticides regularly over a long-term period also had a two times greater risk of developing lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Since previous studies have linked a higher risk of lupus to farmers using pesticides, lead study author Christine G. Parks, PhD, an epidemiologist with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC, decided to investigate household insecticide use in the home and garden. In the study, 178 of the women had rheumatoid arthritis, 27 had lupus, and 8 more women lived with both disorders.
WHAT IT MEANS: While genetics are known to play a part in some lupus cases and other autoimmune diseases, Parks says it's important to investigate environmental factors that could make people more susceptible to the diseases, too. While the study does find a link between insecticides and lupus, the data comes from self-reported use, which leaves room for error. And it doesn't distinguish between the different types of products used. "The questions asked were very general about insecticide use," says Parks. "Participants were asked not to think about products applied to pets, or insect repellents or herbicides." Women weren't asked if they used fogger or spray insecticides specifically, nor were they asked to identify brands. However, Park says there's been speculation that organochlorine pesticides could affect immune function. Commonly known organochlorines that have been banned in the U.S. include DDT, aldrin, toxaphene, chlordane, and heptachlor. However, others, including lindane, a chemical used to kill head lice and scabies, are still on the market. "A lot of research on autoimmune diseases has focused on genetics, but not many studies look at environmental risk factors," says Parks. "It's likely that it's both things are affecting risk."
This is hardly the first time chemical pesticides have been linked to health problems. Studies have suggested all different types of chemical pesticides could increase people's risk of certain cancers, particularly leukemia and lymphoma, Parkinson's disease, birth defects, and developmental problems, among others.
Here's how you can tackle pest problems in your home and garden without subjecting yourself to harmful chemicals.
Knock 'em out naturally. Bug control doesn't have to involve toxic bug bombs that leave chemical residues in your home for a long time. A study published earlier this year in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that integrated pest-management (IPM) methods, in which spraying insecticides is done only as a last resort, were more effective in cockroach control than monthly insecticide applications to baseboards and bait traps. Part of IPM involves preventing the problem in the first place, so make sure you keep food sealed away, clean up crumbs, and fix leaky pipes to make your home uninviting to roaches and other pests.
You can find more natural pest-control tips in these Nickel Pincher Beat Back Household Bugs columns:
Part 1: Ants, Cockroaches, and Moths
Part 2: Houseflies, Silverfish, and Fruitflies