The term pesticide includes numerous types of substances designed for different purposes. For instance, herbicides kill unwanted plants, fungicides kill fungi, rodenticides kill rodents, and disinfectants kill microorganisms. Although many pesticides are synthesized from petroleum, some are derived from natural origins. Pesticides are used widely in the United States, but not without some risk. Depending on the dose, pesticides may cause a range of harmful health effects and may accumulate in ecosystems.
Children are at greater risk of pesticide exposure than most adults.
Pound for pound of body weight, children not only breathe more, eat more, and have a more rapid metabolism than adults, but also they play on the floor and lawn where pesticides are commonly applied. Children may be exposed more heavily to certain pesticides because they consume a diet different than adults. For instance, children typically consume larger quantities of milk, applesauce, and orange juice per pound of body weight. This means their exposure to any pesticide residues in these foods may be higher than that of adults. Children generally are more susceptible than adults to environmental toxics because they are growing and developing.