Are children at special risk of harm from pesticide residues?
The federal government takes into account the special needs of children when it establishes safety standards. Children do eat more in relation to their body weight than adults, and they may tend to eat more fruits and vegetables. But they’re well protected by safety standards that are often a thousand times tougher than would pose a health threat. Operators wishing to take extra steps can simply wash fresh fruits and vegetables, scrub those (carrots, potatoes) that have a tough outer skin, and peel away the outside layers of leafy vegetables.
