Routes of Exposure E-mail
alt Examples of pesticide use which may lead to human exposure include: agriculture (treatment of crops, plants and grain stores); forestry; gardening; professional and domestic pest control; amenity use (spraying of parks, pavements, playgrounds etc); treating wood with preservatives; treating boat hulls with anti-fouling agents; treating livestock with anti-parastitic preparations, e.g. sheep dip.
 

Particular groups of people may have higher levels of exposure:

 
• Those using pesticides occupationally, for example farmers or pest controllers, who may be exposed to high concentrations frequently
• Families of occupational users, who may be exposed to pesticides stored in the home, or to residues that the worker brings home on clothes or shoes
• ‘Bystanders’ who are exposed to spray drift during a pesticide application, e.g. walking beside a field during spraying, or returning to their home after it has been treated with pesticides 
• Residents living close to regularly sprayed areas 
• People using pesticides in their homes or gardens
 
 
In addition, there are possible sources of exposure for everyone:
 
• Residues in food. Although these are generally at very low concentrations, in some countries they may be a significant source of exposure.
 
• Finally, traces of pesticides are all around us in the environment. Some older pesticides, such as DDT, are so prevalent in the environment, and so long-lived, that it is thought that everyone on the planet will have some traces in their body fat.
 

Pesticides can enter the body through the mouth, skin, or lungs, and may have different effects or severity depending on the route of exposure.


Pesticides can enter the body through the mouth, skin, eyes or lungs.

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