All of chemicals have been used in all aspects of everyday life in Mexico, including pesticides. Pesticides have been a great business in Mexico, but the controlling of these chemicals has been neglecting by the government. There are several chemicals which have been banned in United States, but still being used in Mexico.
There are several examples of chemicals which have banned in Mexico nowadays because of adaptation of US system, including DDT, Aldrin, chlordane, and chlorobenzilate. In Mexico, pesticides which have been scientifically considered “safe” still can be dangerous in a developing country, such as Mexico. When pesticide has been used in a bigger dose or have been applied in the wrong crop, it can make a fatal incident.
Here are list of chemicals banned in Mexico:
- DDT
DDT has been widely used during World War II to protect the civilians from malaria, typhus, and other diseases which has been spread by insects. Until now, DDT has been used widely to control termites and insects from agricultural crops and has been a harmful chemicals in environment.
DDT could persist in the soil for 10 – 15 years. Long term exposure of DDT could cause any chronic health disease to humans. DDT has been also detected on breast milk, mother have to avoid the exposure of DDT in order to protect her child.
- Aldrin
Aldrin is a kind of substance which has been used to kill termites and insects, including grasshopper, worm, and other pest. Aldrin can also being used to kill birds, fish, and humans. Toxic dose is estimated up to about five grams. Exposure to human mostly was done through dairy products and meats.
- Chlordane
Chlordane has been used mainly to control termites and any other broad-spectrum of insecticide. This substance will remain in the soil for a long time, about half year. Lethal doses will be varied based on species. Chlordane will also affect human’s immune system and possibly classified as human carcinogen. This substance will be exposed to human by air. However, chlordane has been classified as dangerous chemicals in everyday products.
- Chlorobenzilate
Chlorobenzilate has been used as pesticide in citrus and fruit trees. There is any limited information which has been available regarding its effect on acute or chronic effects of chlorobenzilate in humans. If this chemical has been exposed to animals, it can give bad effects for it, such as decreasing appetite, anemia, cardiac changes, and effects on liver, spleen, and bone marrow.
It can be happened after exposed to high levels of chlorobenzilates by ingestion. Until now, there is no information available on carcinogenic effects of chlorobenzilates in humans. However, chlorobenzilates has been found to be carcinogenic enough for mice, with increasing liver tumors has been observed. That’s the chemicals banned in Mexico.
- Methyl parathion
Methyl parathion is an effective and highly toxic of organothiophosphate insecticide and cholinesterase inhibitor. Methyl parathion has been used as an insecticide which doesn’t occur naturally in the environment. Methyl parathion is a kind of white crystalline solid which is often solubilized in a liquid solvent. The toxic effect of methyl parathion has been exposed by inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption.
Dermal contact of methyl parathion could cause any burn to the skin. Moreover, when this chemicals has been inhaled, the first effect will be runny nose, cough, chest discomfort, difficulty in breath, and wheezing due to the constriction or excess fluid in the bronchial tubes. Eye contact will cause any pain, bleeding, tears, pupil constriction, and blurred vision.
- Methamidophos
Methamidophos has been widely used as a systemic insecticide. Methamidophos is a crystalline solid, which colors is white and have an sharp odor. Methamidophos has been classified as an organic thiophosphate which resulting from N-deacylation of the proinsecticide acephate.
The exposure of this chemical could cause any health problems, including life threatening symptoms. Inhalation of methamidophos could cause any pupil constriction, muscle cramp, excessive salivation, sweating, and difficulty to breath.
- Carbofuran
Carbofuran is a cholinesterase inhibitor which has been used as a systemic insecticide and nematocide. Carbofuran is an odorless white crystalline solid. It can cause any burn after being contacted with the skin. Carbofuran doesn’t have any mutagenic activity. However, exposure of this chemical could cause any symptoms, including blurred vision, excessive respiratory secretion, salivation, exhaustion, and many others.
- Paraquat
Paraquat is kind of chemical which has been toxic and being widely used as a herbicide (plant killer), mainly being used as a grass control. Paraquat is a great of poisonous chemicals which has a blue dye to keep it from being confused with coffee. Paraquat has a strong odor as a warning which causes vomiting to someone who tries to drink it.
The mainly route of exposure to paraquat is ingestion or swallowing. Paraquat can be mixed easily with food, water, or any beverages. The other exposure route is mainly from contacted with skin. The skin which has been contacted with paraquat will cause any sore, cuts, and severe rash in the skin. The main effect of inhalation exposure is lung damage, because of paraquat which will be accumulated in the lung.
- Endosulfan
Endosulfan is a polychlorinated compound which has been used widely to control any variety of insects. It has persisted in soil and water for many years after being used. Endosulfan has been classified as a pesticide. It has a strong odor and colorless crystalline solid form. Moreover, endosulfan has been classified as a toxic chemical after being exposed to skin, lung, and stomach. Endosulfan could cause any irritation to skin. Moreover, it causes nausea, confusion, tremor, convulsion, headache.
- Dialkyldithiocarbamates (EBDCs)
EBDCs is a pesticide and has been a concern for government because of its exposure could cause any effect for human health, such as respiratory mucous membrane infection and skin irritation.
- Dimethoate
Dimethoate is known as insecticide which causes any systemic damage for mites and insects. Dimethoate has been classified as organophosphates which act by interfering with activities of cholinesterase, an enzyme which is essential for nervous system.
Dimethoate could be exposed to human by ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. The mainly exposed of these chemicals could cause any respiratory problems, such as runny nose, cough, shortness breath, wheezing due to constriction or excess fluid in lung. Moreover, any contact with the skin cause sweating and involuntary muscle contraction.
List banned chemicals in Mexico has been issued to be avoided by all of Mexico’s citizen. Never try to contact with all of those most dangerous chemicals in order to avoid any unwanted situation.