Tests show that pesticides are found in higher concentrations at day care facilities than in the average home. This fact is particularly alarming because children’s hand to mouth behavior, rapid rate of development, and low ability to neutralize toxic substances leave them particularly vulnerable to permanent damage from toxins.

Pesticides can cause a range of health problems, especially for young children. They can interact with the endocrine system and cause devel-opmental problems, including altered social skills, learning disabilities, developmental delays and hyperactivity. In addition to links to chronic health effects, such as immune deficiency and cancer, pesticides are known to cause acute symptoms, such as headaches and respiratory irritation.

One California study found that children exposed to any pesticide in their first year of life were more than twice as likely to suffer from persistent asthma before the age of five. Another study found that the risk of childhood leukemia increased more than six times when garden pesticides were used at least once per month.

Unfortunately, most parents are unaware of the use of pesticides at day care centers, and most day care providers are unaware of the harm associated with these chemicals, which can persist weeks or months after application.

To protect California’s youngest children, Environment California is working with Assemblyman Alberto Torrico (Fremont) to enact legis-lation that would encourage day cares to use safer alternatives by train-ing them in least-toxic integrated pest management (IPM) practices. The legislation also would require parental notification when a day care is planning to apply pesticides. Through our Healthy Day Cares campaign, we hope to help create a safer environment in which to care for our most vulnerable population.