Most parents know that their children are exposed to pesticides on foods.
But many may not be aware of the quantity or pervasiveness of other non-food pesticide exposures their kids encounter in a typical day, or they may not understand the risk of these cumulative exposures. Parents may not be aware of pesticides in schools, playground, gardens, in-home sprays, public buildings and airplanes. We talk to Dr. Donald Mattison, medical director of the March of Dimes, about the dangers of pesticide exposure and what parents can do to protect their children. Poisoning by pesticides in humans has caused a myriad of short and long-term nervous system disturbances, including agitation, insomnia, muscle weakness, respiratory agitation, nervousness, irritability, forgetfulness, confusion and depression. In fact, some of the chemicals used in pesticides are actually nerve attacking poisons developed during World War Two.