Pesticides In Daycare Centers

Yet another reason to use natural pesticides when ridding pests from your home, place of business or daycare. It is being reported by Environmental Science And Technology that pesticides were found in over 168 daycare centers that were tested. Wow. That's a huge number. Researchers found at least 1 pesticide per center. Researchers tested for 39 pesticides, and 63% of the centers reported applying up to 10 different insectides. They have said that the concentrations were quite low. However, they did not comment on whether those concentrations may be harmful. One should not that no health advisories or national standards currently exist for such exposures.
We can use this studies findings to help educate the caretakers of our children. Let them know how they can manage pests in the safest way possible. “These chemicals should be avoided around children, and if needed, bait traps, which do not leave residues on the floors and surfaces, are preferable, as long as they are kept out of the reach of children."
While these findings are important and helpful they do not adress the question of how much exposure the children in these centers are facing and what those total exposures mean. They suggest that the data could be used to help to identify individuals with sensitivity to these chemicals.
Always use caution and exercise prudence when applying any sort of insecticide whether it is a natural pesticide or a synthetically produced pesticide especially around areas where there will be lots of child activity.

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