PAN Europe - Issues

Issues

Children
While pesticide residues found in our food, air, soil and water pose a risk to all 500 million citizens of the EU, particular groups of individuals are significantly more vulnerable to pesticide exposure.

Children are especially vulnerable to residues

These include infants, children, foetuses and embryos, whose bodies are undergoing complex developmental processes. Children are especially vulnerable as they absorb a larger intake of pesticide residues in what they eat than do adults. Pregnant and nursing women are also at higher risk given the physiological burden of supporting their developing children. In addition the elderly, the sick, and those on medication may be more susceptible to pesticides where their bodies' protective responses are already compromised.