Impact of Rodenticide Use on Our Ecosystems and human health
By Eva Kranefuss and Max Schulte
The rat poison that you use could be killing you as you read this. Rodenticides are extremely harmful. They do not only kill rats and other rodents, they can also kill their predators such as owls or other large predatory birds ("The Hungry Owl Project"). Along with birds, rodenticides can kill household pets, such as cats and dogs, who can ingest or otherwise come in contact with poisoned rats ("The Hungry Owl Project"). Rodenticides can also be extremely harmful to humans in several different ways. First of all, rodenticides can poison and kill humans, especially children ("Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society"). Because it is in our water, air, and food, long term poisoning can occur ("Unchecked Usage of Pesticides"). This long term exposure to rodenticides can cause health impacts, both acute and chronic ("Unchecked Usage of Pesticides"). Public awareness needs to be raised about the negative impacts of rodenticides on the ecosystem, human health, and our community as a whole.
Our entire ecosystem is affected by the use of rodenticides. Many owls and other predatory birds will eat rats that have ingested rodenticides. The Hungry Owl Project reports: “It is marketed as a ‘single feed’ rodenticide, BUT the rodent takes several days to die, and during that time it can continue feeding on the poison, so that is extremely toxic if eaten by a predator. The owls can also ingest rodenticide that has been left out or not stored properly thus being poisoned primarily. Owls that have been poisoned do not die for several days, but they fly and hunt sluggishly, and because of this, they are usually killed and eaten by other predators ("The Hungry Owl Project"). These other predators are also poisoned, thus extending the harm of the poison ("The Hungry Owl Project"). Poisoning throws the balance of the ecosystem as a whole. It kills owls and other birds who may already be endangered thus pushing them further towards extinction. Also, it can cause the exact opposite of what we want to happen. The Hungry Owl Project also states, “The use of poison can cause the natural balance [of the ecosystem] to actually tip in favor of the pest.” When rats’ predators are killed, there is nothing to keep the rat population under control. This happened in Chihuahua, Mexico due to overuse of rodenticide, and the entire town was overrun by rats ("The Hungry Owl Project"). Rodenticides not only affect our ecosystem but also, our health.
Rodenticides are extremely poisonous. It is stated in The Unchecked Usage of Pesticides that, “Pesticides can be found in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink.” It is very easy for water or food to be contaminated even in small amounts. Then, when people eat or drink, they are exposed to long term poisoning. Even though it is a small amount, this poisoning can cause many problems in the human body. The acute symptoms are nausea, headaches, eye irritation, and vertigo ("Unchecked Usage of Pesticides"). The chronic symptoms are reproductive harm, sterilization, cancer, and endocrine disruption ("Unchecked Usage of Pesticides"). The most negative effect of rodenticide is death ("Unchecked Usage of Pesticides"). This can happen due to long term poisoning because of contamination or improper storage. Many times, it is children that are harmed by rodenticides. According to the Santa Clara Audubon Society, “Each year in the United States 12,000 to 15,000 children under the age of 6 are exposed to harmful rat control products.” Other ways they can affect our life is by poisoning our house pets. It is very common for pet dogs and cats to eat poisoned birds or mice, which can cause the same problems as in humans, but most commonly, death ("The Hungry Owl Project").
Here are several ways you can help to stop the unintended harming of animals and spread awareness about the negative effects of rodenticides. To begin with the obvious, don’t purchase or support the use of rodenticides. This will help because it’s one less person contributing to the cause. Next, you could could find posters and brochures at Raptors are the Solutions to distribute and put up around your neighborhood ("Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society"). Another way is to volunteer at local programs that interest you. Many of these programs need volunteers and would be ecstatic if someone like you came to help. Not to mention, it also looks good on a resume for high school, college, or even a job application. Or, you can make a tax-deductible donation to support any program you would like ("Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society"). Last but not least, you can educate your local community about the negative effects of rodenticides. Some ways to do this are to bring the issue up with your local councilman/woman, or hold your own information sessions for your neighbors.
In conclusion, the use of rodenticides has many negative repercussions on the ecosystem and our health. Public awareness must be raised because of this. Animals who rely on rodents to survive end up suffering due to the use of rodenticides. Most of these animals are already facing endangerment as their habitats are depleting. They don’t need anymore threats to their species. Not only does it hurt animals who ingest it, but who knows what inhaling the poisonous, deadly chemicals in one’s home can do to their body. We as humans need to unite and do something about these rodenticides. The people and animals really need our help, let’s do something about it before it’s too late.
Work Cited
"Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS)." Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS). Web. 29 May 2015. http://www.scvas.org/index.php?page=text&id=cons_rodenticides.
"The Hungry Owl Project." The Hungry Owl Project. Web. 29 May 2015. http://www.hungryowl.org/information/rodenticides.html.
"Unchecked usage of pesticides." Technology Times 14 Sept. 2014. General OneFile. Web. 29 May 2015. http://tinyurl.com/nnfzn8g.
The rat poison that you use could be killing you as you read this. Rodenticides are extremely harmful. They do not only kill rats and other rodents, they can also kill their predators such as owls or other large predatory birds ("The Hungry Owl Project"). Along with birds, rodenticides can kill household pets, such as cats and dogs, who can ingest or otherwise come in contact with poisoned rats ("The Hungry Owl Project"). Rodenticides can also be extremely harmful to humans in several different ways. First of all, rodenticides can poison and kill humans, especially children ("Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society"). Because it is in our water, air, and food, long term poisoning can occur ("Unchecked Usage of Pesticides"). This long term exposure to rodenticides can cause health impacts, both acute and chronic ("Unchecked Usage of Pesticides"). Public awareness needs to be raised about the negative impacts of rodenticides on the ecosystem, human health, and our community as a whole.
Our entire ecosystem is affected by the use of rodenticides. Many owls and other predatory birds will eat rats that have ingested rodenticides. The Hungry Owl Project reports: “It is marketed as a ‘single feed’ rodenticide, BUT the rodent takes several days to die, and during that time it can continue feeding on the poison, so that is extremely toxic if eaten by a predator. The owls can also ingest rodenticide that has been left out or not stored properly thus being poisoned primarily. Owls that have been poisoned do not die for several days, but they fly and hunt sluggishly, and because of this, they are usually killed and eaten by other predators ("The Hungry Owl Project"). These other predators are also poisoned, thus extending the harm of the poison ("The Hungry Owl Project"). Poisoning throws the balance of the ecosystem as a whole. It kills owls and other birds who may already be endangered thus pushing them further towards extinction. Also, it can cause the exact opposite of what we want to happen. The Hungry Owl Project also states, “The use of poison can cause the natural balance [of the ecosystem] to actually tip in favor of the pest.” When rats’ predators are killed, there is nothing to keep the rat population under control. This happened in Chihuahua, Mexico due to overuse of rodenticide, and the entire town was overrun by rats ("The Hungry Owl Project"). Rodenticides not only affect our ecosystem but also, our health.
Rodenticides are extremely poisonous. It is stated in The Unchecked Usage of Pesticides that, “Pesticides can be found in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink.” It is very easy for water or food to be contaminated even in small amounts. Then, when people eat or drink, they are exposed to long term poisoning. Even though it is a small amount, this poisoning can cause many problems in the human body. The acute symptoms are nausea, headaches, eye irritation, and vertigo ("Unchecked Usage of Pesticides"). The chronic symptoms are reproductive harm, sterilization, cancer, and endocrine disruption ("Unchecked Usage of Pesticides"). The most negative effect of rodenticide is death ("Unchecked Usage of Pesticides"). This can happen due to long term poisoning because of contamination or improper storage. Many times, it is children that are harmed by rodenticides. According to the Santa Clara Audubon Society, “Each year in the United States 12,000 to 15,000 children under the age of 6 are exposed to harmful rat control products.” Other ways they can affect our life is by poisoning our house pets. It is very common for pet dogs and cats to eat poisoned birds or mice, which can cause the same problems as in humans, but most commonly, death ("The Hungry Owl Project").
Here are several ways you can help to stop the unintended harming of animals and spread awareness about the negative effects of rodenticides. To begin with the obvious, don’t purchase or support the use of rodenticides. This will help because it’s one less person contributing to the cause. Next, you could could find posters and brochures at Raptors are the Solutions to distribute and put up around your neighborhood ("Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society"). Another way is to volunteer at local programs that interest you. Many of these programs need volunteers and would be ecstatic if someone like you came to help. Not to mention, it also looks good on a resume for high school, college, or even a job application. Or, you can make a tax-deductible donation to support any program you would like ("Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society"). Last but not least, you can educate your local community about the negative effects of rodenticides. Some ways to do this are to bring the issue up with your local councilman/woman, or hold your own information sessions for your neighbors.
In conclusion, the use of rodenticides has many negative repercussions on the ecosystem and our health. Public awareness must be raised because of this. Animals who rely on rodents to survive end up suffering due to the use of rodenticides. Most of these animals are already facing endangerment as their habitats are depleting. They don’t need anymore threats to their species. Not only does it hurt animals who ingest it, but who knows what inhaling the poisonous, deadly chemicals in one’s home can do to their body. We as humans need to unite and do something about these rodenticides. The people and animals really need our help, let’s do something about it before it’s too late.
Work Cited
"Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS)." Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS). Web. 29 May 2015. http://www.scvas.org/index.php?page=text&id=cons_rodenticides.
"The Hungry Owl Project." The Hungry Owl Project. Web. 29 May 2015. http://www.hungryowl.org/information/rodenticides.html.
"Unchecked usage of pesticides." Technology Times 14 Sept. 2014. General OneFile. Web. 29 May 2015. http://tinyurl.com/nnfzn8g.