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Pesticides 

Pesticides & Children's Health

 

Children have a higher health risk from pesticide exposure because:

 

  • Their bodies our still developing
  • They eat more, drink more, and breathe more in proportion to their body size
  • Their behavior -- crawling, putting things in their mouth, sucking their thumbs, etc. -- can expose them more to chemicals and organisms

Some ill effects to children can include nausea, vomiting, headaches, eye irritation and respiratory symptoms. Both pests and pesticides have been associated with asthma symptoms in children. To find out more information about pesticides and children's health, please click here to IKE Pesticide Health Effects sheet.

 

How do children come in contact with pesticides?

Children can come into contact with pesticides stored or applied in their homes, yards, day-cares, schools, parks, or on pets.

Children often touch things (that may contain a pesticide) and put their hands in their months. They also crawl and play on floors, grass, or in spaces that might contain pesticides. These activities may put them at higher risks for poisoning. Contact with pesticides may cause serious harm to a child's health.
 
 

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