• It has been reported that an estimated one million to five million cases of pesticide poisonings occur every year, resulting in several thousand fatalities, including children, the report said.
• "Most of the poisonings take place in rural areas of developing countries, where safeguards typically are inadequate or lacking altogether. 
  • Although developing countries use 25% of the world's production of pesticides, they experience 99% of the deaths due to pesticide poisoning," the report said.
• Children face a higher risk from pesticides because they may be more susceptible than adults or more greatly exposed than adults, according to the report. 
  • Children's ignorance of risks results in greater potential for exposure. 
  • Malnutrition and dehydration increase their sensitivity to pesticides. 
  • Currently around 200 million children are suffering from malnutrition.
• Pesticide poisoning can occur via breathing, drinking or eating, or through the skin or mucous membranes. 
  • The symptoms resulting from acute poisoning may range from fatigue, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, to respiratory and neurological effects that may be life-threatening. 
  • Chronic and even low-level exposure to pesticides has been linked to cancer and birth defects, and also damage the nervous system and the functioning of the endocrine system.