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Pesticides

Pesticides are chemicals used to control various pests such as insects, rodents, fungi, (such as mold and mildew), and weeds. Over the past 30 years, commercial and residential use of pesticides has skyrocketed. Today pesticides are commonly used both inside and outside and can be found in our soil, water, air, and bodies. Our built environments, including schools, homes, lawns, parks, and places of work, can all be sites of hazardous pesticides. Despite their prevalence, pesticides can be extremely dangerous and pose serious threats to the health of humans and wildlife everywhere.

Children are often more vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticides because of their small size and their rapid developmental and metabolic rates. In addition, children’s behavior, including increased hand to mouth activity, a tendency to crawl and play in spaces that could be contaminated, and a lack of awareness about proper safety and sanitary habits, all put children at a higher risk. In some cases, childhood exposure to pesticides can cause serious health damage later on in an individual’s life.

Health Effects of Pesticides

Numerous studies have been conducted confirming a link between pesticide exposure and negative health effects. Symptoms of pesticide poisoning include a decrease in overall feelings of wellness, reproductive complications and failure, birth defects, learning disabilities, neurological and behavioral changes, organ damage, and various forms of cancer including leukemia, breast cancer, and brain tumors. Pesticide poisoning is especially threatening to children since their brain and nervous systems are at critical stages of development.

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a least toxic approach to getting rid of pests. IPM avoids using chemicals for pest control whenever possible by using biological control, natural pesticides (bugs, plants, etc.), and prevention strategies. IPM seeks to lower not only the health and environmental costs of pest control, but also the economic costs. IPM has worked well in large commercial facilities, schools, agricultural areas, and homes. Using IPM protects our soil, water, and air. Such environmental protection in turn keeps children healthier.

Pesticides in Food and Liquids

Pesticide residues are commonly found in food. Studies have shown that children eat more food that contains high levels of pesticides, such as fruits and vegetables like apples, strawberries, and fruit juices. Water can also contain pesticides from agricultural, industrial, and residential runoff. Because children consume more liquids and food in proportion to their body weight than adults do, these daily sources of hazardous chemicals can be especially dangerous to them. Once ingested, chemicals may accumulate in human fatty tissue and can have serious long-term health effects on a child as s/he grows.

How You Can Help Protect Children From Pesticides

• In the home. Keep a clean home, with a kitchen clear of food and a dry bathroom, to discourage pests. Without food and water pests can’t live and you can prevent them from invading your home. Learn more about IPM and use IPM strategies for household and garden pests.

• In school. Currently, there is no national legislation to protect children in schools. However, several states do have legislation concerning children’s environmental health and pesticides. Be proactive, learn about your state and local pesticide regulations and encourage school officials to use IPM inside and outside the school building.

• In your diet. Use products labeled “certified organic,” which are free of pesticides. When organic products are not available or are too costly, thoroughly rinse all produce with water before consumption. Also, since toxic chemicals are stored in fatty tissues, a diet low in fat can increase your health.

• Educate yourself about the hazards of pesticides by visiting informational websites. Join with others in encouraging local and national officials to protect people from harmful pesticides.
  
  Pesticide Information Resources
  
  Call 1-800-NAIN, the National Antimicrobial Information Network, a toll-free telephone service that provides antimicrobial pesticide information, a project by EPA and Oregon State University
  
  www.epa.gov/epahome/topics.html, website for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which can be searched for a variety of information about toxic chemicals and pollutants and U.S. regulations regarding such materials
  
  www.epa.gov/pesticides U.S. EPA Office of Pesticides, which has a wide variety of related info
  
  www.nrdc.org, website for the Natural Resources Defense Council, which can be searched for information about a variety of environmental and health related topics
  
  www.igc.org/psr/ihw.htm, a document by the Physician for Social Responsibility about various toxic threats to child development and info linking developmental disorders and toxic chemicals
  
  www.childproofing.org, the website for Childproofing Our Communities Campaign, a locally based, grassroots effort coordinated by the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice (CHEJ), a national environmental organization. This site also provides many other useful links
  
  www.beyondpesticides.org, the website for Beyond Pesticides, which provides information about pesticide safety issues, alternative forms of pest control (IPM), and federal and local pesticide policy.
  
  www.panna.org/panna, website for the Pesticide Action Network of North America, which provides information about national and international pesticide issues and links to many other sites.
  
  www.cehn.org, website for the Children’s Environmental Health Network, a non-profit that www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm works to promote a healthy environment for the fetus and child, with a useful resource guide to other organizations and links to other resources