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Children may also be particularly susceptible
to the harmful effects of pesticides. This is because their bodies
are still developing, and because behavior like playing on the ground
or putting objects in their mouths can lead to higher pesticide exposure.
In the year 2000, approximately 73,000 children were poisoned by or
otherwise exposed to common household pesticides. Still more children
are exposed to pesticides at school, at play and even while eating.
These are serious issues, as pesticides can cause nausea, skin irritation,
hormone disruption and even cancer. While it may be difficult to control
our children’s exposure to chemical residues that are virtually everywhere
(such as DDT in breast milk), it is certainly possible to remove risks
of massive exposure to pesticides in the home.
If at all possible, find alternatives to chemical pesticides in your
own life. In today’s marketplace there are countless products and
services offered as alternatives for your pest-fighting needs. While
it is sometimes difficult to sort out advertising claims of being
"100% nontoxic" or "environmentally safe," groups like Beyond Pesticides
have put together resources to help you find what you’re looking for.
From there, you can also get involved making the necessary policy
changes that will protect our children’s health from more widespread
threats.
And if for some reason you feel that you must keep pesticides at home,
please make sure they are out of children’s reach and securely locked.
Teach your child to stay away household chemicals, so that they will
be safer at neighbors’ and relatives’ homes. Make sure you only use
pesticides according to the instructions, and always dispose of them
properly.
In a final positive note, Pennsylvania recently passed two laws that
will help reduce children's contact with pesticides at school. The
first law requires schools to give parents and staff members prior
notice before using dangerous chemicals on school property, allowing
them to take steps to protect their kids. The second law requires
schools to take a preventative approach to bugs, weeds and mice called
Integrated Pest Management (or IPM). By addressing potential problems
before they start, schools will be less likely to need pesticides
at all.
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Beyond
Pesticides
A nonprofit working to reduce dependency on toxic chemicals.
Pesticide
Effects and Child Safety
Learn what the federal government has to say about pesticides and kids.
Safety
Source for Pest Management
Your one-stop shop for safe alternatives to household pesticides.
National Pesticide Information
Center
Get expert information on specific chemicals.
Pesticides
in Schools
A PDF pamphlet about alternatives to pesticide use in
schools.
Center
for Food Safety
A series of links on pesticides in food.
Clean Water
Action
A group working to prevent toxic chemicals from getting in our water.
Schools
and Pesticides
Environmental Reporter story about the Pesticide Notification Act.
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