Alexandra Evans

That accumulated exposure is especially worrisome because children are more vulnerable to pesticides, according to health promotion expert Alexandra Evans.

" Kids eat proportionally more contaminated foods, on a volume-per-weight basis, than adults," she said."Pesticides tend to be stored in fat, and kids have more body fat, proportionately than adults."She also said children's still-developing livers may give them less capacity to detoxify chemicals.
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Evans, an assistant professor with the University of South Carolina's school of public health, says a child's eating habits can guide organic food choices.Sometimes preschoolers go through stages where they pick a favorite item and will only eat that food for several weeks.

That finicky phase may be a good time to splurge on organic alternatives, Evans said.

Parents can also look for IPM produce - integrated pest management - which is generally cheaper than organic foods.IPM fruits and vegetables are grown using synthetic pesticides but farmers incorporate alternative agriculture practices that can lower pesticide residue in IPM produce to non-detectable levels.

Simple food-preparation practices - like washing vegetables in a diluted solution of water and dish detergent - can further reduce the amount of pesticide in consumed food, Evans added.

" If you can afford it, choose organic; if money is an issue as it is for many Americans, just eating more fruits and vegetables is the first priority," she advises.

Expert Sources:

Alexandra Evans, Ph.D.Health Promotion, Education and Behavior