More than 40 percent of Iowa’s population lives in rural communities.
Children in agricultural communities can face exposure to pesticides in air, water and dust, both at home and at school or on playgrounds. A review of 35 studies published between 1995 and 2013 found that pesticides drifting from fields are a significant source of dust contamination.
Many studies show that children of farmers and farmworkers also face “take home” exposures when family members who work with pesticides carry residue home in their vehicles and on their clothing, shoes and skin.
