United States Prevention, Pesticides : 735-F-93-050
Environmental Protection And Toxic Substances Revised Il
Agency (7506C) January 1996

SEPA For Your INFORMATION

: Pesticides and Child Safety

| Although pesticides can be beneficial to > society, they can be dangerous if used
carelessly or if they are not stored properly and out of the reach of children.
According to data collected from the American Association of Poison Control Centers,
irl 1994 alone, an estimated 74,000 children were involved in common household
pesticide-related poisonings or exposures in the United States. An additional
D, 538 children were exposed to or poisoned by household chlorine bleach.

A survey by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding pesticides
used in and around the home revealed some significant findings:
o: Almost half -- 47% -- of all households with children under the age of five had
: at least one pesticide stored in an unlocked cabinet, less than 4 feet off the
ground (i.e., within the reach of children).

Oo Approximately 75% of households without children under the age of five also
, stored pesticides in an unlocked cabinet, less than 4 feet off the ground (i.e.,
| within the reach of children). This number is especially significant because

13% of all pesticide poisoning incidents occur in homes other than the child’s

| home.

Bathrooms and kitchens were cited as the areas in the home most likely to have
improperly stored pesticides. Examples of some common household pesticides found
in bathrooms and kitchens include roach sprays; chlorine bleach; kitchen and bath
disinfectants; rat poison; insect and wasp sprays, repellents and baits; and, flea and

. tick shampoos and dips for pets. Other household pesticides include swimming pool
chemicals and weed killers.

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| EPA has important regulatory authority over pesticides in the United States
under the pesticide law (the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act).
Since 1981, the law has required most residential-use pesticides with a signal word of
"danger" or "warning" to be in child-resistant packaging. These are the pesticides
which are most toxic to children. Child-resistant packaging is designed to prevent
most children under the age of five from gaining access to the pesticide, or at least
delay their access. However, individuals must also take precautions to protect
children from accidental pesticide poisonings or exposures.

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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PREVENTING ACCIDENTAL POISONING:

0 Always store pesticides away from children’s reach, in a locked cabinet or garden
shed. Child-proof safety latches may also be installed on cabinets and can be
purchased at your local hardware store;

° Read the label first and follow the directions to the letter, including all precautions
and restrictions;

oO Before applying pesticides (indoors or outdoors), remove children and their toys as
well as pets from the area and keep them away until the pesticide has dried or as long
as is recommended by the label;

° If your use of a pesticide is interrupted (perhaps by a phone call), properly reclose the
package and be sure to leave the container out of the reach of children while you are

gone;

o Never transfer pesticides to other containers that children may associate with food or
drink;

o Never place rodent or insect baits where small children can get to them;

° Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the container tightly after use;

o Alert others to the potential hazard of pesticides, especially caregivers and
grandparents;

o Teach children that "pesticides are poisons" -- something they should not touch;
° Keep the telephone number of your area Poison Control Center near your telephone.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, try to determine what the child was exposed to
and what part of the body was affected before you take action, since taking the right action is
as important as taking immediate action. If the person is unconscious, having trouble
breathing, or having convulsions, give needed first aid immediately. Call 911 or your local
emergency service.

If the person is awake, conscious, not having trouble breathing, and not having
convulsions, read the label for first aid instructions and contact your local Poison Control
Center, physician, 911 or your local emergency number -- remember act fast because speed
is crucial! In most cases, the pesticide product label provides you with a "Statement of
Treatment" to follow in emergencies. The appropriate first aid treatment depends on the
kind of poisoning that has occurred. If fist aid instructions are not available, follow these
general guidelines:



GENERAL FIRST AID GUIDELINES:

o- Swallowed poison. Induce vomiting ONLY if emergency personnel on the phone
tell you to do so. It will depend on what the child has swallowed; some petroleum
products or caustic poisons will cause more damage if the child is made to vomit.
Always keep Syrup of Ipecac on hand (1 ounce for each child in the household) to use
to induce vomiting if recommended by emergency personnel. Be sure the date is
current.

o Poison in eye. Eye membranes absorb pesticides faster than any other external part
of the body; eye damage can occur in a few minutes with some types of pesticides. If
poison splashes into an eye, hold the eyelid open and wash quickly and gently with

i clean running water from the tap or a gentle stream from a hose for at least 15

| minutes. If possible, have someone else contact a Poison Control Center for you

i while the victim is being treated. Do not use eye drops or chemicals or drugs in the

wash water.

o Poison on skin. If pesticide splashes on the skin, drench area with water and remove
contaminated clothing. Wash skin and hair thoroughly with soap and water. Later,
discard contaminated clothing: or thoroughly wash it separately from other laundry.

o Inhaled poison. Carry or drag victim to fresh air immediately. If you think you
need protection such as a respirator and one is not avilable to you, call the Fire
Department and wait for emergency equipment before entering the area. Loosen
victim’s tight clothing. If the victim’s skin is blue or the victim has stopped
breathing, give artificial respiration (if you know how) and call rescue service for
help. Open doors and windows so no one else will be poisoned by fumes.

Additional pesticide product information can be obtained from the National Pesticide
Telecommunications Network (NPTN) at 1-800-858-7378. NPTN is a toll-free information
| service operated Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time (9:30 a.m. -

- 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time).