Reducing the risk of pesticide exposure among children of agricultural workers: how nurse practitioners can address pesticide safety in the primary care setting.

Studies have shown that exposure to agricultural pesticides can result in serious acute and chronic health effects in humans. While pesticide exposure may occur in many different settings, agricultural workers and their families are at greatest risk. Children of agricultural workers are at particular risk because of their smaller size, higher metabolic rates, immature body systems, and behavioral and developmental patterns. Health care providers working in rural and agricultural areas are most likely to work with families and children at greatest risk for pesticide exposure. Many health care professionals do not feel adequately prepared to address safety, prevention, and education regarding pesticide exposure. This article reviews current studies on reducing pesticide exposure in children of agricultural workers and outlines a list of recommendations and guidelines for health care professionals working with this population. These guidelines address the particular vulnerabilities and risks of children at all stages of their development and ways in which health care professionals can address these risks with agricultural workers and their families in the primary care setting.