Pesticides: Reducing the Risk of Exposure to Children

Alabama Nurse,  Jun-Aug 2006  by Gasser, Paula

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Spring and summer are favorite times of the year for most of us. This is a time for sprucing up the house indoors and out, and a time for outdoor play, picnics, and gardening. However, with spring cleaning, gardening, yard work, and outdoor activities comes increasing risk of exposure to pesticides. Although pesticides can be beneficial to society, they can be dangerous if used carelessly, especially to children.

Pesticides are poisons meant to kill pests such as insects, rodents, weeds, and fungi. Many pesticides contain neurotoxins that can impact the nervous system and brain development. Exposures to pesticides have been linked to learning, behavioral, and developmental disabilities. Research has also linked pesticide exposure to immune system problems, making us more susceptible to disease, reproductive disorders, and asthma. Pesticides may build up in body tissue over time. Even fetuses and infants may be exposed to pesticides that have built up in the bodies and breast milk of their mothers.

Children are more susceptible than adults to the toxic effects of chemicals in their environment. Children aren't just little adults. They're still growing. Developing cells are more easily damaged than cells that have completely developed. Children's brains are also more vulnerable to toxic chemicals. Children have higher metabolic and respiratory rates than adults, and they eat and drink more proportionately than adults. Metabolic and proportional differences can result in proportionately larger doses of toxic exposure. Developing body systems of children can result in greater toxic damage when exposure occurs at developmentally sensitive times. Children experience greater relative exposure than adults, due to the fact that they play on the floor and ground where some contaminants collect. They put their hands in their mouths frequently and, eat more fruits and vegetables per pound of body weight. Because many pesticides are heavier than air, children's breathing areas are likely to have higher pesticide concentrations. Many variables can impact exposure and dose of toxic chemicals and the ultimate effect of environmental toxins.

So where are the pesticides coming from? There are many avenues of exposure within our homes and neighborhoods that we aren't even aware of. In the United States a tremendous amount of pesticides are used to control pests each year. It is estimated that more than 1.2 billion pounds of the active ingredients in pesticides were used in 2001. Currently, use of more than 70,000 chemicals are allowed in the United States. Pesticides are applied on land such as agricultural fields, golf courses, sports fields, roadsides, gardens and lawns, and at home for professional extermination and carpet treatments. Spraying on crops and gardens and in homes, pesticides can drift into "off-target" areas such as residences, water supplies, home gardens, playgrounds and expose children directly. Pesticides can remain on shoes and feet and can be carried into houses thus contaminating carpets and other surfaces as well as mixing with household dust. While most pesticides decompose rapidly when exposed to outdoor light and heat, indoors they can persist, sometimes for years, buried in carpet fibers, furniture, and stuffed toys. Exposure at home may also occur from use or improper storage of common household products such as flea sprays, dips, and collars for pets; head lice treatment; insect and tick repellents; cockroach baits; termite control products; kitchen and bath disinfectants; products to kill mold and mildew; lawn and garden weed killers; swimming pool chemicals; and, many more. Schools and community buildings may be sources of exposure as well, from professional extermination, carpet treatment, and pressure treated lumber. Pesticides are applied to produce during cultivation on farms as well as after harvesting to prevent fungal growth during shipping. Milk and meat from livestock that are fed pesticide-treated crops can contain pesticides.

There are measures that can be taken to prevent or reduce children's risk of exposure to pesticides:

* Wash fruits and vegetables, and then peel them when possible. Buy organically grown products when possible. They are more expensive, but less costly in the long run when compared to the cost of healthcare.

* Trim the fat from meat and poultry because residues from some pesticides concentrate in the fat.

* Remove the skin from fish. Discard fats and oils in broths and pan drippings.

* Do not eat fish from bodies of water where contamination has occurred.

* Do not pick wild plants growing right next to the road.

* Wipe shoes and/or leave them at the door to avoid tracking in residue from pesticides.

* Control dust that can contain pesticide residue in the home. Vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter vacuum. Dust with damp rags instead of feather dusters which disperse dust into the air.

* Avoid products containing lindane for head lice treatment for children.

* When applying insect repellent to children, read all directions first. Do not apply over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin. Do not apply to eyes, mouth, hands, or directly on the face. Use just enough to cover exposed skin. Do not use under clothing.