Way back in World War II, a chemical called chlorpyrifos was used in chemical bombs. Nowadays, they just use it as a pesticide for cotton, corn, almonds, and fruit - among other things, like termite traps.

Sickening, isn't it? Well, actually it is. A farmer's union and several NGO's are working to file a lawsuit against the EPA because it is making farmers sick.

Last year, the chlorpyrifos bug spray was removed from retail shelves out of fear for children, who are apparently more susceptible to the effects than adults. United States officials call the chemical "moderately toxic," however an Australian resource states otherwise.

HEALTH EFFECTS:

SHORT TERM: Chlorpyrifos is very toxic to humans, between 1 teaspoon and 1 ounce may be fatal. (7) Chlorpyrifos toxicity is considerably greater if administered orally compared to dermal. (11) Primary routes of exposure are inhalation, skin or eye contact. Inhalation exposure to high concentration may cause upper respiratory irritation, central nervous system depression headache, dizziness, increased sensitivity to epinephrine, irregular heartbeats, incoordination, muscle twitching, tremor, pinpoint pupils, blurred vision, tightness in chest, and convulsions. Eye contact may cause pain, moderate irritation.(6) Poisoning also impairs Central Nervous System. (2)

LONG TERM: Continual absorption at intermediate dosage may cause influenza-like illness which includes symptoms like weakness, anorexia and malaise.(2) Prolonged or repeated over exposure to the product Lorsban may result in delayed liver and or kidney damage. (1) Other chronic exposure effects are behavioural neurotoxicity and organo-phosphate induced delayed neuropathy. (11)

Chlorpyrifos was actually banned from agricultural use for a while, and was re-approved back in 2001. Gee. I wonder why. Thankfully, it doesn't mix well with water, and so doesn't readily enter the water supply.