Household pesticides usually contain a small amount of the chemicals designed to kill the pest, called active ingredients, and a number of inert ingredients that are added to enhance the effectiveness of the application or use. All household pesticides have some degree of toxicity and the potential to harm human health and the environment. Dangers of Pesticides Health Besides the undesirable pests for which they are intended, pesticides can harm other organisms including pets, livestock, wildlife and people. Exposure to pesticides can occur through ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption. Physical responses to pesticide exposure depend on the pesticide, amount of exposure, the age and over-all physical condition of the victim.
Children are far more susceptible to harm from exposure to pesticides than adults.
Because of their lower body weight, exposure in children may result in more toxins per pound. Children are also especially sensitive to the neurotoxins often found in pesticides, because children's immune systems, organs, brains and nervous systems are still developing. Acute poisoning from pesticides is an immediate reaction that occurs soon after exposure. The symptoms may mimic other conditions, such as the flu, so it is important not to ignore them if a possibility of pesticide poisoning exists. Symptoms can include skin irritation, dizziness, headache, confusion, shortness of breath, respiratory irritation, nausea, cramping, coma and death.