Sensitive Populations

Children

Children are much more susceptible to the effects of pesticide exposure for various reasons.

-They eat, drink and breathe more per unit of body weight than adults, thereby ingesting more pesticides if their environment is contaminated.

-Their major organs are still in development, thus are not able to effectively process and filter out toxic contaminants.

-Pesticides are heavier than air and remain close to the ground. Children spend most of their time on the ground, so can be exposed more easily.

-Daily activity - crawling around, putting their hands in their mouths, etc. - can expose children to pesticides and other chemicals.

Photo courtesy of Mary Jacka & Sylvia Torres, California Rural Legal Assistance

Elderly

Our elderly community can also be more sensitive to pesticides for other reasons:

-Existing illnesses or diseases can be aggravated by pesticide exposure.

-Weakened immune systems make them more vulnerable.

Farmworkers

Farmworkers are disproportionally exposed to pesticides because of the nature of their work:

-They mix, handle and apply toxic pesticides on a daily basis.

-They often live on or near the fields.

-Farmworker children may be exposed at home or school.