How to Protect Young Children from Chemicals in Food

We’re all familiar with the saying that you are what you eat. However, for growing children that are constantly developing, it’s more important than ever to pay attention to the food they eat and any chemicals they may be ingesting unknowingly.

Why Pesticides in Food May Put Your Child at Risk

We are all regularly exposed to chemicals in food, even when religiously eating organic. However, when a child is exposed to pesticides in their food, they could have double the risk of ADHD, according to a Canadian study.

The EPA points out that it is especially important to protect children from pesticides in food for the following reasons:

1. Children’s internal organs are still maturing and developing.
2. Infants and children eat and drink more than adults in ratio to their body weight.
3. A child’s exposure to pesticides can be increased by playingon the floor both indoors and outdoors.

3 Ways to Keep Toxic Chemicals Out of Your Child’s Food

If you want to keep your child as healthy as possible and reduce the risk of conditions like ADHD, keep the following tips in mind:

1. Peel fruits and vegetables and remove the outer leaves of lettuce before serving. For any fruits or vegetables that are not peeled, scrub them well under running water to remove pesticide residue.
2. Always buy fresh produce that is not bruised, decayed, or molding; this produce is less likely to harbor excess pesticides.
3. Buy organic produce whenever possible, especially those known to contain the highest levels of pesticides like strawberries, apples, peaches, cherries, and spinach.

It’s equally important to use pesticides safely indoors to protect your children from further contact with toxic chemicals. Although it may not be possible to eliminate the use of household pesticides altogether to keep an insect problem under control, it helps to contact a professional Alabama pest control company to spray the correct amount of pesticide in the proper locations in ahome.

To keep your family safe both during and after your next pest control visit, consider these helpful guidelines for household pesticide use:

• Make sure that children aren’t at home during the time of extermination.
• Afterward, ventilate the house to release any toxic fumes or chemicals that could remain trapped indoors.
• Last but not least, remember to wash off all food preparation surfaces in the kitchen before cooking dinner for your family, like countertops, stovetops, and cutting boards.