Ripple Effects - Pesticides
Protecting Ourselves from Pesticides
Pesticides surround us each and every day. They are found in our homes, parks, and schools and are used in growing our food. Mounting evidence shows many pesticides are endocrine disruptors causing reproductive disorders, neurological impairments and immune dysfunction. Learn how pesticide use is impacting Minnesota and how people are working to reduce their exposure and develop awareness in their communities.
To read the full stories and watch the videos, click on the links below.
Becky Sheets: Pesticides Everywhere, Activist Seeks Awareness
Even as youngster Becky Sheets loved agriculture and getting her hands in the dirt. She is a master gardener who has a large organic garden and orchard. She combines gardening with her skills as a food preparation consultant to teach young people how to grow and preserve organic food.
Becky was offered a job with a Research Center for Crop Production in 1984. She worked as the research project technician and then coordinator for 25 years. In 1993 she experienced a new world related to agriculture—overspray of pesticides. Becky was sprayed with three pesticides while working and became seriously ill. She had believed that pesticides were safe, since that’s what we have always been told. She was diagnosed with chemically-induced asthma. Becky’s life is forever changed. Now going into hardware stores or grocery stores triggers her asthma attacks. Becky avoids going into stores that have cleaners or pesticides. Driving through town during ‘Weed and Feed’ season has lasting consequences for her health.