Final answer:
Approximately 2 million poison exposures happen yearly, with children being highly susceptible. Chronic exposure to pesticides and lead are of particular concern, affecting health and development. Workplace hazards also pose a threat with the need for stringent safety measures and monitoring.
Step-by-step explanation:
Every year, approximately 2 million poison exposures are reported with nearly half of these incidents involving children. Long-term low-level exposure to toxic substances, such as pesticide residues in food, air, water, soil, and sediment, presents a significant health risk. Children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of toxins like lead, which can be found in their environment. The CDC has expressed concerns about children with elevated blood lead levels, which can lead to various health complications. This is not only a matter of acute poisoning incidents but also includes chronic exposure to contaminated drinking water, air pollution from inefficient stoves, and danger presented by common household products.
In contrast, workplace exposure to high levels of pesticides can affect workers in agriculture, retail and emergency services. These risks underscore the importance of adherence to safety protocols and monitoring of environments to prevent and manage poison exposures effectively. The disparity in exposure types between developed and developing countries points out the varying challenges faced in managing public health.