Eco-Fail: New studies show that there is a three-fold increase in the degenerative nerve disease Parkinson’s if the person has a certain gene and is exposed to paraquat and maneb, two pesticides commonly used since 1974. Parkinson’s disease can include tremors, muscle stiffness, and lack of balance. People with a susceptible gene did not develop Parkinsons if they weren’t exposed to the pesticides. The pesticides affect dopamine levels in the brain.

Green Chi Eco-Win: Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides has a large number of fact sheets for pesticide alternatives, from crane flies to cutworms!