A class of insecticides known as pyrethroids used inside the home is increasingly found in the human body, a team of researchers from UC Davis has discovered, raising alarm over the long-term effects of the chemicals on people.

The study also found that children in particular are still widely exposed to an insecticide that was banned for household use over a decade ago—chlorpyrifos.

“The thing to be wary of is that these products, when used inside the home, last a very long time,” said Kelly Trunnelle, lead researcher of the UC Davis study.

The indoor use of pyrethroids has grown rapidly since 2001 when chlorpyrifos was phased out after it was discovered to damage neurological health.

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As Shruti Ravindran at The Verge reports:

Over 60 percent of people examined in the study tested positive for having pyrethroids in their system.

Very few studies have examined the long-term effects of pyrethroids on humans in home-based exposure, although the research is growing. As the Sacramento Bee reports:

“It’s well-documented that pyrethroids and chlorpyrifos are more persistent in the indoor environment,” Trunnelle said. “Unfortunately, this information may not be widely understood by the general public.”

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