Studies confirm that children are exposed to multiple pesticides in the household carpets, on countertops, even in their toys. Pesticides are used frequently in schools, often without notifying parents or teachers. The toxicity testing that EPA requires of pesticide manufacturers, which is largely performed in laboratory animals and then used in setting tolerances, is often inadequate to protect children as well. Our analysis of EPA guidelines used by manufacturers to complete these tests reveals data gaps falling into three categories. Failure to expose animals during all critical periods of development corresponding to ages when children are known to have the greatest potential susceptibility to the toxic effects of chemicals.
Most toxicity testing for food-use pesticides uses only adult animals.
Of the two tests required for food-use pesticides which actually do expose developing animals, one fails to continue dosing the animal after birth, when many organ systems are still developing. Failure to assess all endpoints, or toxic effects, of critical concern to the fetus, infant or child. Children depend on healthy brains, nervous and immune systems to become learning, productive, healthy adults. Normal development of the fetus, infant and child depends upon the timely release of low levels of various hormones from endocrine organs and their action on different organs. Until guidelines and testing are implemented, a pesticide's untested potential for endocrine disruption should be reflected in the tolerance for that chemical.