Reducing Exposure
Adults and children who spend time in gardens can be exposed to soil contaminants by eating or breathing in soil particles, by direct skin contact with the soil, and by eating contaminated produce.
Encouraging healthy gardening habits for all garden users is a good way to reduce exposure to soil contaminants
Children in the garden are more likely to have high exposures compared to adults because they like to play in the dirt, put their hands into their mouths, and may even eat small amounts of soil.
Children are more vulnerable to the negative effects of some soil contaminants because their bodies and brains are still developing.