Laboratory studies show that many pesticides can cause health problems, such as birth defects, nerve damage, cancer and other effects that might occur over long periods of time. All fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed before consuming to reduce the amount of pesticide residue that actually enters the body. Buying organically grown foods is one more way consumers may choose to limit their ingestion of agricultural chemicals. Organic residue standards, however, are stricter than those put forth by the EPA for conventionally grown produce, and organic farmers are not allowed to use the majority of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers used by conventional farmers. Limiting pesticide intake is especially important for children.
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. 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.