Pesticides can be dangerous to human health at certain levels, which is why people need to protect themselves and their families, especially babies and children, from exposures. Pesticides can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled through the lungs or ingested from contaminated food or water. People who live near agricultural areas are at greater risk from drift of pesticides. However, most people are exposed to pesticides applied in and around their homes to control pests. Numerous laws and regulations are in place to protect people from pesticide exposures and studies of the potential risks to human health are ongoing to determine if additional protective measures are needed.