Protecting children from the risks of pesticides
Description
Many people find EWG while seeking information about pesticides. In today’s episode Ken is joined by our in-house Senior Toxicologist, Dr. Alexis Temkin whose research establishes safety guidelines to help people (including children) minimize their exposure to toxic crop chemicals. In the second half of today’s episode, Ken is joined by renowned pediatrician Dr. Phillip Landrigan whose decades of research and advocacy is integral for understanding the effects of pesticides on children. We see this episode as Pesticides 101, to help give our audience agency over how they (and their families) are exposed to pesticides. Our government isn’t doing enough to protect us from harmful chemical residues often found in healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. Until that changes, we’re grateful for the work of Dr. Temkin and Dr. Landrigan which has helped people, including parents and caregivers, better understand how they can take steps to reduce their exposure to pesticides while eating plenty of healthy fruits and veggies.
Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:
EWG’s 2024 Dirty Dozen
EWG’s 2024 Clean 15
EWG’s Dirty Dozen Guide to Food Chemicals: The top 12 to avoid
EWG’s YouTube
Alexis Temkin, Ph.D.
EPA warns farmworkers about risks of Dacthal
60 Minutes (CBS; 2/26/1989)
National Research Council (US) Committee on Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children
Food Quality Protection Act Signing
Safe Drinking Water Act Signing
Children and Environmental Toxins: What Everyone Needs to Know®
Project 2025's "Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise (contributed by NPR)
Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.