The Impact of Environmental and Occupational Exposures on Reproductive Health

Pesticide Exposure and Child Neurodevelopment: Summary and Implications

“…These metabolites may block the absorption of critical nutrients in children's diets, which further affects health outcomes. Potential routes of exposure to pesticides include in utero or through breast milk, via ingestion of food contaminated with pesticides, and household exposures via dermal contact (Chalupka & Chalupka, 2010). Children live closer to the ground than adults, which may increase their exposure to pesticides sprayed or precipitated there (Paulson & Barnett, 2010).…”

“…Children's organs are not fully developed until later in life. They continually experience critical periods in development; adverse exposures can cause permanent damage, particularly in utero (Chalupka & Chalupka, 2010). Children's behaviors and ability to interact with their physical environment change during different stages of growth and development and can place them at greater risk of exposure: children may crawl on the floor, explore objects orally, and play with items they find in the environment (Landrigan et al, 2004).…”

“…The American Nurses Association (ANA) mandates that nurses use current data to identify the potential for harm from a substance (even without complete information) and use the Precautionary Principle, which asserts that without conclusive evidence it is better to err on the side of caution and assume a negative association, to guide prevention, policy, and clinical decision making (Gilden et al, 2010). Women's health, neonatal, pediatric, community health, and occupational health nurses support families and women preparing for pregnancy by disseminating information about environmental hazards and chemical toxicants (Chalupka & Chalupka, 2010;Sattler & Davis del, 2008). Nurses are trusted professionals who educate clients effectively but may be limited in time.…”

“…Basic questions can be included in health histories (e.g., those recommended by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology [ACOG]) or through more detailed assessments (e.g., the Environmental and Occupational Health History Profile), providing a thorough understanding of potential home, community, and workplace pesticide exposures (Chalupka & Chalupka, 2010). Five strategies are necessary to create a child-protective approach to risk assessment: improved exposure assessments, enhanced toxicity testing, new toxicology models specific to children, a mechanistically based approach to hazard evaluation, and use of uncertainty and safety factors specific to children and their unique risks (Landrigan et al, 2004).…”

“…Education should include information about potential exposures, alternatives to chemical pesticides, signs of intoxication, and risks of exposure. Parents should be counseled about potential risks of pesticides accumulating on their clothes, shoes, or skin if they live or work in agricultural areas (Chalupka & Chalupka, 2010;Harrison, Partelow, & Grason, 2009). Although workers may receive on-thejob training about pesticide safety, language or literacy barriers may necessitate provider counseling (Lucas & Allen, 2009), such as advising farmworkers to prevent cross-contamination by showering and changing before returning home or holding infants (Lucas & Allen, 2009).…”