How can people be exposed to persistent pesticides?
People are exposed to persistent pesticides in various ways: • The primary route of exposure for the general population is by eating foods such as root and leafy vegetables, fatty meat, fish, and poultry that have been contaminated. • Eating foods imported from countries that still allow the use of persistent pesticides. • Breathing contaminated air or drinking contaminated water. Levels in air and water are generally low and of little concern. Air and water near waste sites and landfills may contain higher levels of persistent pesticides than air and water in other areas. • Infants fed on human breast milk may ingest persistent pesticides from mothers who have been exposed. • Exposure can also occur as a result of absorption through the skin. One organochlorine, gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, also known as lindane, is used to treat lice and scabies and readily absorbed where contact is made with skin.
