JOHN Wargo advises that there are three things parents can do to protect their children from pesticides.
1. DON'T use pesticides: seven per cent of all fungidens, but a pretty lawn is not worth your child getting cancer. A study of childhood leukaemia in Los Angeles, found a 3.8 fold higher risk for children whose parents used pesticides in the home, and a 6.5 fold increase for those who used pesticides in the garden. Farm children have an 8.8 high risk of cancer than other children. If you must use pesticides outdoors, keep infants off the ground and remove your shoes before entering the house.
2. BUY organic foods as much as possible, especially your children are aged five and younger. If not, carefully wash all fresh fruits and vegetables before eating them. If the skin contains wax, peel them as pesticides may be encased in the wax which cannot be removed by washing.
3. CHECK your water supply: if you have a private well, have your water tested. Be especially cautious if you live near farmland or next to a golf course, railway or large institutions such as college campuses or industrial parks which are commonly treated with pesticides which could contaminate water supplies. If you share a well, try to agree with neighbours that pesticides and fertilisers will not be used within one half mile of the supply source. If your water is contaminated, get a good filtration system. Encourage neighbours not to use pesticides where they can affect your children.