The risk depends on the toxicity of the pesticide ingredients and how much of the pesticide a child is exposed to. Pesticides are a collective term for chemicals intended to kill unwanted insects, plants, molds, and rodents. Children encounter pesticides daily and have unique susceptibilities to their potential toxicity. Acute poisoning risks are clear, and understanding of chronic health implications from both acute and chronic exposure are emerging. Epidemiologic evidence demonstrates associations between early life exposure to pesticides and pediatric cancers, decreased cognitive function, and behavioral problems. Related animal toxicology studies provide supportive biological plausibility for these findings. Recognizing and reducing problematic exposures will require attention to current inadequacies in medical training, public health tracking, and regulatory action on pesticides. Policies that promote integrated pest management, comprehensive pesticide labeling, and marketing practices that incorporate child health considerations will enhance safe use.
PENANG, Malaysia – Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific (PANAP) strongly condemns the recent mass poisoning incident that took place at Pis-anan National High School in Sibalom, Antique, Philippines, which led to the hospitalisation of nearly 250 students on July 2, 2025. The toxicological analysis confirming the presence of cypermethrin, a Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP), in […]
The 16 Days of Global Action on Agroecology, held annually from 1–16 October, is a grassroots-led campaign initiated by Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific (PANAP) that mobilises farmers, women, youth, indigenous peoples, rural communities, and civil society groups to resist the corporate agriculture model and promote agroecology as a just, sustainable, and people-centred alternative. Timed […]
Nimkala Chauhan is living in Kapilvastu Municipality Ward No. 12, Vithuva. She is from marginalized community in terms of economic condition. She has 2 sons, 1 daughter, 2 mother/father-in-law, her husband and herself altogether 7 people are living in her family. In order to fulfill their basic needs, she had taken 5 kattha (0.169 hectare) […]
Educating and immersing children in practices that are in harmony with nature and showing them the comparative advantages of protecting soil life, biodiversity and the environment is the way forward. Learn more from the experiences of our partners in India, Pakistan and Malaysia.
Toxic pesticides used in mango orchards and floriculture farms in India affect the lives of young children. Who is responsible for their poisoning? Find out in this documentary by PAN Asia Pacific, in cooperation with Society for Rural Education and Development, Sahanivasa and APVVU.
This short documentary highlights the successful efforts to establish pesticide-free buffer zones around schools in Asia. In Vietnam, children were taught early on the harmful effects of pesticides and to move towards alternative methods. Meanwhile, in Cambodia, farmers stopped spraying pesticides on school days. This was a result of an education campaign launched after students […]
Hear these Cambodian children’s plea to stop the use of pesticides! Video from CEDAC, taken at the Po Ampil Primary School in Takeo Province, Cambodia
PANAP launches the “Children and Pesticides Campaign” — an initiative to protect children from pesticide exposure and to promote healthier and safer childhood environments. Know more, visit http://www.panap.net The campaign is an extension of PAN’s ongoing work on phasing out Highly Hazardous Pesticides globally.
