How long do pesticides stay in the human body?

Most don't stay on the plants longer than a few days or even hours, degrading with exposure to sunlight or air. The rest will either pass through the body harmlessly or be metabolized. read more

The doctor insists that some pesticides can stay in your system for years. "Older pesticides like DDT can stay in the human body for years, even decades," Landrigan said. But Dr. Josh Bloom of the American Council of Science and Health says these chemicals have been used in the U.S. for at least 60 years and pose no risk. read more

Most often, pesticides affect the nervous system (system in your body that controls your nerves and muscles). General health effects from acute (short-term) exposures or poisonings are listed in the table below. NOTE: The term “pesticide” describes a very large and diverse group of chemicals or products. read more

Pesticides are designed to kill “pests”, but some pesticides can also cause health effects in people. The likelihood of developing health effects depends on the type of pesticide and other chemicals that are in the product you are using, as well as the amount you are exposed to and how long or often you are exposed. read more