Ninety-six children were tested for pesticide residue by researchers from the University of Washington, and all but one were found to have trace amounts of the chemicals in their urine, according to this article from the Seattle Times. Not surprisingly, kids whose parents used pesticides in their gardens had higher levels of the chemicals in their urine.
The amount of pesticides found in all the children was extremely low. Still, scientists are unsure what effects long-term exposure, even to miniscule amounts of the chemicals, will have. This accompanying article from the Seattle Times explains the known risks of the pesticides.
"What's the prudent thing to do? My approach has been: We should be cautious, not alarmists. We should take steps that are easy to take," says Richard Fenske, a professor of environmental-health sciences at the University of Washington. According to the article, there are organic ways to control many pests.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends not using pesticides if you don't have to, and making sure the ones you do use are safe for home use. The agency also recommends washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly to remove any pesticide residue and keeping children away from any areas where pesticides have been sprayed.
