Children's exposure to pesticides used in homes and farms.

* Methyl parathion exposure can cause neurological and physiological damage.

* These effects may be more serious in children.

* In general, pesticide exposure may be greater in children than adults because of the intensity with which children explore their environment.

* Several studies in Mississippi and Ohio have shown that methyl parathion exposure in children may be linked to problems in short-term memory and attention span.

* Another study suggests that infants living in methyl parathion--contaminated homes may face greater risk of unexplained death.

* The Lower Valley of El Paso County, Texas, consists of residential communities that are located in close proximity to farm fields.

* Many schools and homes in the area are directly adjacent to or surrounded by fields.

* Residents have expressed concern about the aerial application of pesticides on these fields, especially during school hours when children are outside.

* In addition, many residents use pesticides in their homes to kill roaches, ants, mice, mosquitoes, and scorpions.

* Although many use legal pesticides, some residents are illegally using methyl parathion, also known as polvo de avion, or airplane dust, in their homes.

* This pesticide is usually bought in powder form.

* Sometimes it comes in the form of chalk that can be applied to walls or floors.

* Methyl parathion can be bought from street vendors in the city of Juarez in Chihuahua, Mexico, as well as from some small shops in El Paso, Texas.

* It is legal only when used on agricultural crops in a restricted manner.

* Health effects from exposure to methyl parathion include headaches, nausea, flulike symptoms, vomiting, dizziness, skin rash, and respiratory effects.

* When methyl parathion is used outdoors, it degrades in a matter of days.

* When it is used indoors, it degrades much more slowly.

* Traces of methyl parathion can manifest up to a year after initial spraying.

* A survey collected information about residents' perceptions about the safety and use of pesticides, as well as their preferred sources of health information.

* It also assessed the number of respondents who were using methyl parathion.

* The authors found that 88.7 percent of respondents used some type of pesticide.

* Of these, 9.8 percent reported using methyl parathion.

* Most people surveyed did not know of ways of ridding their homes of insects other than use of pesticides.

* Information about alternatives to pesticides in the home may be an important area for health education.

* Sixty percent of the participants reported that they had seen farmers use pesticides in the fields.

* Of these, 92.2 percent reported that the farmers never notified them before the pesticides were applied.

* The survey also found that a minority of people are actually receiving information from any source regarding health issues.

* The sources in which people placed the most confidence were the Texas Health Department, television, and the city/county health department.

* These channels of communication should be utilized in any health education intervention.

This department, Practical Stuff! originated from you, our readers. Many of you have expressed to us that one of the main reasons you read the Journal of Environmental Health is to glean practical and useful information for your everyday work-related activities. In response to your feedback, we dedicate this section to you with salient points to remember about two to three articles in each issue.