\s=b\Children with severely atypical development often display pica, habitual mouthing, and odd food preferences as symptoms from the first year of life. Such children can ingest dangerous amounts of lead even in environments that are usually considered safe. Mean blood lead concentration was notably higher in 18 autistic children than in 16 nonautistic psychotic children or in ten normal siblings. Fifteen (44%) of the psychotic children (autistic and nonautistic) had blood lead levels greater than two standard deviations above the mean for normal controls. Behavioral and neurological sequelae of elevated blood lead level may be obscured in severely disorganized children. Screening for blood lead should be part of the medical care of these vulnerable children with pica.

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Horticultural oils are among the safest of pesticides. Lack of product identification through the label makes it difficult for the field user to know what product was actually used in experimental studies. A minimum standard for product identification is suggested. Phytotoxicity, while relatively uncommon, continues to cause fears on the part of nurserymen and spray contractors. Factors that must be taken into account before spraying oil include dosage, timing with regard to plant phenological development and climatic conditions, and an awareness of sensitive plant species. A list of sensitive plants is given. A new expression of pesticide resistance through the thickening of the test of certain armored scales was observed.

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