Use only the pesticides approved for use by the general public and then only in recommended amounts. Increasing the amount does not offer more protection against pests and can be harmful to you, your pets and your plants. Read the Label and follow directions. Ventilate the area well after pesticide use. Mix or dilute pesticides outdoors or in a well-ventilated area and only in the amounts that will be needed immediately. If possible, take plants and pets outside when applying pesticides to them.

Avoid using pesticides in your home or yard, or on your pet -- use baits or traps instead, keepin your home especially clean to prevent ant or roach infestations. Find out if pesticides are used in your child's school or day care center and campaign for non-toxic alternatives. Avoid heating food in plastic containers, or storing fatty foods in plastic containers or plastic wrap. Do not give young children soft plastic teethers or toys, since these leach potential endocrine disrupting chemicals.

Exposure to pyrethrins and pyrethroids can be reduced by exercising care when using pesticides containing these compounds around the house, on pets, and on children and by storing them properly. Certain pyrethroids are sprayed to control mosquitos during the spring and summer; remaining indoors and closing your windows while your neighborhood is being sprayed will lessen your exposure.

In most situations, there is no need to reduce one's exposure to manganese because it is an essential nutrient for good health. Excess levels of manganese may be present in soils, especially at or near hazardous waste sites. Therefore, it is important to discourage hand-to-mouth activity in young children, especially near hazardous waste sites or in areas that may have increased manganese levels in the soil. Manganese is also present in pesticides that may be used around the home.

Carefully handle and dispose of products that contain mercury, such as thermometers or fluorescent light bulbs. Do not vacuum up spilled mercury, because it will vaporize and increase exposure. If a large amount of mercury has been spilled, contact your health department. Teach children not to play with shiny, silver liquids. Properly dispose of older medicines that contain mercury. Keep all mercury-containing medicines away from children.

You can reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease and having a heart attack by avoiding smoking, taking regular physical activity (at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity 5 times a week), eating a balanced diet which is rich in fruit and vegetables and low in salt and saturated fat.

Eliminate mosquito breeding and harborage areas. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing or slow moving water. Weeds, tall grass, and bushes provide an outdoor home for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can also enter homes through unscreened windows/doors or through screens that are broken or torn. Follow the links to the right for more information.

Washing, peeling, and trimming fruits and vegetables often will help reduce or remove any pesticide residues. For more information, read the fact sheet "Healthy, Sensible Food Practices." Ask your neighbor which pesticide they applied and ask to read the label on the container. The label contains a great deal of information. If you still have questions or are concerned, you can call the National Pesticide Information Center (1-800-858-7378) or your State Lead Agency.

Generally, there is no need to relocate during mosquito control spraying. The pesticides have been evaluated for this use and found to pose minimal risks to human health and the environment when used according to the label directions. Although the pesticide poses low risks, some people may prefer to avoid or further minimize exposure.

You and your children may be exposed to PCBs by eating fish or wildlife caught from contaminated locations. Certain states, Native American tribes, and U.S. territories have issued advisories to warn people about PCB-contaminated fish and fish-eating wildlife. You can reduce your family's exposure to PCBs by obeying these advisories. Children should be told not play with old appliances, electrical equipment, or transformers, since they may contain PCBs.

Molds are organisms that grow in damp, dark environments. There are many types of molds, the most common household molds are alternaria and cladosporium. Molds release microscopic spores into the air which are then inhaled and can cause allergy symptoms. Molds are usually found in damp areas such as bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, under sinks or under the refrigerator.

Dander is pet skin flakes. Proteins found in the dander and saliva of cats and dogs cause allergies. This microscopic protein is released from your pets and floats in the air you breathe. You don't have to have direct contact with a cat or dog to be exposed to this allergen. If you are allergic to pet allergens it is usually best to have your pet placed in a new home. Be aware that pet dander can remain in your home for several month after your pet has been relocated.

Pollen are the spores that plants release to propagate themselves. Pollen is responsible for triggering seasonal allergic reactions. Different regions of the country vary in the type and time of pollen release, but generally, tree pollens are usually high from early spring to midsummer, grass pollens are usually high from late spring to midsummer and weed pollens are usually high from late summer through the fall.

When applying pesticides follow the directions on the label. This may include wearing long sleeve shirt and pants, rubber boots, gloves, and eye wear. If you are aware of a pesticide application around the home or in a public place, avoid exposure. If you live in a rural area adjacent to agricultural or forest lands where pesticides are applied, contact the land owner and ask to be informed of pesticide applications.

Kidney Health - What you should know.... You can lose most of their kidney function before feeling sick - and by then it's too late. There is no cure. Dialysis or a transplant are the only options once your kidneys fail. If you ticked one or more of these risk factors - you are at increased risk and should ask your doctor for a kidney health check.

There is strong scientific evidence that having regular screening tests for colorectal cancer beginning at age 50 reduces deaths from colorectal cancer. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon and rectum, and polyps can be removed before they turn into cancer. Studies have also shown that increased physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can decrease the risk for colorectal cancer.

Reduce the risk of limb deficiencies in your unborn child by taking medications only when absolutely necessary and under your doctor's supervision.

There are many things that you can do to reduce your heart attack risk. Eating right and exercise can lower cholesterol and strengthen your heart muscle. Many studies have shown the benefits of taking an aspirin such as Ecotrin? every day for your heart if you already suffered a heart attack in the past. Ecotrin? aspirin keeps the blood flowing through your blood vessels. Be sure to join Here's to LifeTM, our FREE Heart Health Program.

Materials containing asbestos that are not disturbed or deteriorated do not, in general, pose a health risk and can be left alone. If you suspect that you may be exposed to asbestos in your home, contact your state or local health department or the regional offices of EPA to find out how to test your home and how to locate a company that is trained to remove or contain the fibers.

Household products containing hydrochloric acid should be stored in safe containers, in safe locations, out of the reach of children.

In the home, store substances that contain cadmium safely, and keep nickel-cadmium batteries out of reach of young children. If you work with cadmium, use all safety precautions to avoid carrying cadmium-containing dust home from work on your clothing, skin, hair, or tools.

If your doctor finds that you have been exposed to significant amounts of copper, ask whether your children might also be exposed. Your doctor might need to ask your state health department to investigate. The greatest potential source of copper exposure is through drinking water, especially in water that is first drawn in the morning after sitting in copper piping and brass faucets overnight. To reduce copper in drinking water, run the water for at least 15-30 seconds before using it.

Cleaners containing sodium hydroxide should not be stored in containers that may appear attractive to children, such as soda bottles.

If you use arsenic-treated wood in home projects, you should wear dust masks, gloves, and protective clothing to decrease exposure to sawdust. If you live in an area with high levels of arsenic in water or soil, you should use cleaner sources of water and limit contact with soil. If you work in a job that may expose you to arsenic, be aware that you may carry arsenic home on your clothing, skin, hair, or tools. Be sure to shower and change clothes before going home.

Maintain adequate room ventilation when using cleaners containing ammonia and wear proper clothing and eye protection. Never store cleaning solutions in containers that may be attractive to children, such as soda bottles. There are tests that can detect ammonia in blood and urine. However, these tests cannot definitely determine if you have been exposed because ammonia is normally found in the body.

If your doctor finds that you have been exposed to significant amounts of benzidine, ask whether your children might also be exposed. Your doctor might need to ask your state health department to investigate. Benzidine has no agricultural or food chemical uses, so exposure to it by eating contaminated food is not likely. Impurities in certain food dyes can be transformed inside the body to benzidine.

The main way people are exposed to hexachlorobenzene is through food, especially fatty foods (e.g., dairy products, some fish). Eat only moderate amounts of fatty foods to reduce the risk of exposure to hexachlorobenzene and other chemicals that may accumulate in fat. If hexachlorobenzene is produced in your place of work, make sure you do not carry the chemical home in your clothing, skin, hair, tools, or other objects from the workplace.

If your doctor finds that you have been exposed to high levels of phenol, ask if children may also be exposed. Your doctor may need to ask your state department of health to investigate.