Blog
Welcome to NCAP's blog: The Buzz! Here you'll find everything you ever wanted to know about the latest efforts to reduce pesticides, tips for finding effective alternatives, and what you can do to help create a safe world and protect the health of people and the environment.
Double Your Impact!
During the month of September YOUR DONATION will be DOUBLED! Please join us in our efforts to reduce pesticides and advance healthy and safe alternatives. read more...
Organophosphate Exposure Linked to Attention Difficulties
A new study links prenatal exposure to organophosphate pesticides to attention deficit disorders in children. read more...
Toolbox Tip: Bed Bugs
Non-chemical ways to prevent and treat bed bug infestations read more...
Join the Ladybug Lovely
A group of ladybugs can be a powerful presence against invading aphids in your garden, reducing the need for pesticides. The same is true for NCAP. Our group of Ladybug Lovely members is such an important part of our work. read more...
Chlorphyrifos and Children
Most of you have probably eaten a Washington-grown apple. But you probably didn't know that most of these apple trees are literally blasted with insecticides that are harmful to the nervous system (including the brain!). One of these insecticides – a well-studied chemical called chlorpyrifos – was banned for use in homes because of its high risk to children. But there are still children who are being exposed to this chemical - the children in farming communities where your apples and other foods are grown read more...
Getting Community Mosquito Control Programs to Adopt the Best Policies
West Nile virus is a fact of life in most parts of the United States. The risks of infection can be serious, although these risks are much lower than influenza and food-borne diseases. Community mosquito control programs aim to reduce the risks of West Nile virus. read more...
Invasive Garden and Landscape Plants
Invasive plants have become a problem nationwide. In natural areas, these non-native plants can sometimes take over and out-compete native plants. When native plants suffer, so do the animals that depend on them for food and habitat. read more...
Health Effects of Chronic Pesticide Exposure
Scientific evidence showing that pesticides are harmful to our health is increasing rapidly. Recently, a review by government researchers looked at links between pesticide exposure and both cancer and nervous system problems and found yet more of this evidence. The review "clearly suggests that at current exposures pesticides adversely affect human health." The review also suggests that the way pesticides are currently regulated, based mostly on studies of laboratory animals, is problematic: the health effects found in the review show that "either animal testing alone or its interpretation in public policy is not sufficient to protect human health. read more...
Toxic Strawberries: The Latest on Methyl Iodide
Senator Dianne Feinstein of California is asking the EPA to reconsider its decision to approve methyl iodide for use. read more...
Lawn Herbicides End Up in House Dust
Do herbicides used on your lawn end up inside your house? There are only a few scientific studies that have tried to answer this question. A new study from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) adds to the evidence that herbicides used on lawns are tracked inside houses where they can persist for months or years. read more...
