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Pesticides
and Child Safety
Although
pesticides can be beneficial to society, they can be dangerous if
used carelessly or if they are not stored properly and out of the
reach of children. According to data collected from the American
Association of Poison Control Centers, in 2000 alone, an estimated
73,000 children were involved in common household pesticide-related
poisonings1 or exposures2 in the United States. An additional 25,153
children were exposed to or poisoned by household chlorine bleach.
A survey
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding pesticides
used in and around the home revealed some significant findings:
- Almost
half -- 47% -- of all households with children under the age of
five had at least one pesticide stored in an unlocked cabinet,
less than 4 feet off the ground (i.e., within the reach of children).
- Approximately
75% of households without children under the age of five also
stored pesticides in an unlocked cabinet, less than 4 feet off
the ground (i.e., within the reach of children). This number is
especially significant because 13% of all pesticide poisoning
incidents occur in homes other than the child's home.
- Bathrooms
and kitchens were cited as the areas in the home most likely to
have improperly stored pesticides. Examples of some common household
pesticides found in bathrooms and kitchens include roach sprays;
chlorine bleach; kitchen and bath disinfectants; rat poison; insect
and wasp sprays, repellents and baits; and, flea and tick shampoos
and dips for pets. Other household pesticides include swimming
pool chemicals and weed killers.
EPA
regulates pesticides in the United States under the pesticide law
(the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act). Since
1981, the law has required most residential-use pesticides with
a signal word of "danger" or "warning" to be
in child-resistant packaging. These are the pesticides which are
most toxic to children. Child-resistant packaging is designed to
prevent most children under the age of five from gaining access
to the pesticide, or at least delay their access. However, individuals
must also take precautions to protect children from accidental pesticide
poisonings or exposures.
RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR PREVENTING ACCIDENTAL POISONING:
- Always
store pesticides away from children's reach, in a locked cabinet
or garden shed. Child-proof safety latches may also be installed
on cabinets and can be purchased at your local hardware stores;
- Read
the label first and follow the directions to the letter, including
all precautions and restrictions;
- Before
applying pesticides (indoors or outdoors), remove children and
their toys as well as pets from the area and keep them away until
the pesticide has dried or as long as is recommended by the label;
- If
your use of a pesticide is interrupted (perhaps by a phone call),
properly reclose the package and be sure to leave the container
out of the reach of children while you are gone;
- Never
transfer pesticides to other containers that children may associate
with food or drink;
- Never
place rodent or insect baits where small children can get to them;
- Use
child-resistant packaging properly by closing the container tightly
after use;
- Alert
others to the potential hazard of pesticides, especially caregivers
and grandparents;
- Teach
children that "pesticides are poisons" -- something
they should not touch;
- Keep
the telephone number of your area Poison Control Center near your
telephone.
IN
CASE OF AN EMERGENCY,
try to determine what the child was exposed to and what part of
the body was affected before you take action, since taking the right
action is as important as taking immediate action. If the person
is unconscious, having trouble breathing, or having convulsions,
give needed first aid immediately. Call 911 or your local emergency
service.
If
the person is awake, conscious, not having trouble breathing, and
not having convulsions, read the label for first aid instructions
and contact your local Poison Control Center, physician, 911 or
your local emergency number -- remember to act fast because speed
is crucial! In most cases, the pesticide products label provides
you with a "Statment of Treatment" to follow in emergencies.
The appropriate first aid treatment depends on the kind of poisoning
that has occurred. If first aid instructions are not available,
follow these general guidelines:
GENERAL
FIRST AID GUIDELINES:
Swallowed
poison. Induce vomiting ONLY if emergency personnel on the phone
tell you to do so. It will depend on what the child has swallowed;
some petroleum products or caustic poisons will cause more damage
if the child is made to vomit. Always keep Syrup of Ipecac on hand
(1 ounce for each child in the household) to use to induce vomiting
if recommended by emergency personnel. Be sure the date is current.
Poison
in eye. Eye membranes absorb pesticides faster than any other external
part of the body; eye damage can occur in a few minutes with some
types of pesticides. If poison splashes into an eye, hold the eyelid
open and wash quickly and gently with clean running water from the
tap or a gentle stream from a hose for at least 15 minutes. If possible,
have someone else contact a Poison Control Center for you while
the victim is being treated. Do not use eye drops or chemicals or
drugs in the wash water.
Poison on skin. If pesticide splashes on the skin, drench area with
water and remove contaminated clothing. Wash skin and hair thoroughly
with soap and water. Later, discard contaminated clothing or thoroughly
wash it separately from other laundry.
Inhaled
poison. Carry or drag victim to fresh air immediately. If you think
you need protection such as a respirator and one is not available
to you, call the Fire Department and wait for emergency equipment
before entering the area. Loosen victim's tight clothing. If the
victim's skin is blue or the victim has stopped breathing, give
artificial respiration (if you know how) and call rescue service
for help. Open doors and windows so no one else will be poisoned
by fumes.
Source:
U.S. EPA
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