Protecting Children Where They Live
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Questions on Pesticides?
- National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)
1-800-858-7378
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How EPA is
Children may be exposed to pesticides used in and around their homes through rodent control products, cleaning products, lawn and garden products, insect repellents, and pet products. Also, though government testing indicates that most food does not contain detectable levels of pesticide residue, a child’s diet can still be a potential source of pesticide exposure.
We are reducing potential pesticide exposures where kids live by:
- Reducing pesticide dietary risk from foods most consumed by children.
- Giving priority to applications for pesticides that pose fewer risks than existing conventional pesticides.
- Improving risk assessments to better characterize potential exposure to children and account for common behaviors, such as crawling and placing objects in their mouths.
- Partnering with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and others on a National Integrated Pest Management in Housing Strategy to help bring lower risk pest management strategies to families living in public housing.
- Instituting safety measures to protect children from accidental exposure to rodent control products.
- Our awareness campaign, “Play It Safe: Reduce Your Child’s Chances of Pesticide Poisoning” educates parents and caregivers about preventing accidental pesticide exposure and poisoning.