Children are at a greater risk for some pesticides for a number of reasons. Children's internal organs are still developing and maturing and their enzymatic, metabolic, and immune systems may provide less natural protection than those of an adult. There are "critical periods" in human development when exposure to a toxin can permanently alter the way an individual's biological system operates. Children may be exposed more to certain pesticides because often they eat different foods than adults. For instance, children typically consume larger quantities of milk, applesauce, and orange juice per pound of body weight than do adults. Children's behaviors, such as playing on the floor or on the lawn where pesticides are commonly applied, or putting objects in their mouths, increase their chances of exposure to pesticides. Adverse effects of pesticide exposure range from mild symptoms of dizziness and nausea to serious, long-term neurological, developmental and reproductive disorders. Americans use more than a billion pounds of pesticides each year to combat pests on farm crops, in homes, places of business, schools, parks, hospitals, and other public places (1,2,3).
1. "Protecting Children from Pesticides"
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/kidpesticide.htm
2. Pesticide Effects on Children: A landmark study* of preschool children, who were exposed to pesticides...
http://www.nutrition4health.org/NOHAnews/NNS99PestEffChild.htm
3. "Pesticide Toxicity and the Developing Brain" http://www.box.net/shared/lcbvw2woww
4. Image: "Do Not Spray - Pesticide Free Zone"
http://www.alternatives2toxics.org/donotspraysign.htm
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