Abstract:
Several factors make children vulnerable to adverse health affects from exposure to pesticides. Identifying and reducing children's exposure to pesticides is a priority because their organ systems have not fully matured, they have a faster rate of metabolism, and a faster breathing rate as compared to adults (WHO 2002; EPA 2003). Differences in diet and behavior also put children at a greater risk for exposure to pesticides compared to adults.
The National Research Council's 1993 report Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children raised concern regarding the dietary intake of pesticides by children. The report stated that there is a potential concern that children are ingesting unsafe levels of pesticides, but, that there was little useful data available to assess pesticide exposure among infants and children (NRC 1993). Children are assumed to be at higher risk than adults to dietary pesticide exposure because according to the report, children eat more food per body mass and their diets are often made up of food items high pesticide residue levels. The NRC declared that new procedures were needed to adequately assess children's dietary exposure to pesticides and to protect them from exposure.
Taken from the beginning of thesis.