• Diet can be a major source of exposure for children. As they grow, children drink more water and eat more food, per body weight, than do adults. Water and food containing pesticide residues may therefore be a source of chronic, low-level or high-level pesticide exposure.
• Growing food on or near contaminated soils, using contaminated water on crops or for washing puts people and children at particular risk.
• When a mother to be is exposed to pesticides, the child becomes exposed as well, before birth, while still in the womb. Small children can also come into contact with persistent and bio-accumulative pesticides through breast feeding. Protecting pregnant women and lactating mothers from exposure to toxic contaminants is therefore crucial.
• Pesticides used in the field or in the household are often stored improperly in or around farmers' homes where family members can easily access them. 
  • These toxic substances may contaminate food or water and cause air pollution. 
  • In some instances, the empty pesticide containers are reused to store water and food.
• Children tend to explore their immediate environment, play close to the ground and put things in their mouths. As a consequence, they may receive significant doses of pesticides from soils, dusts and contaminated objects that can be found in rural areas, homes or gardens.