A new study has found that the levels of pesticides found in
common foods are linked to increases in the rate of Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among children.
The journal Pediatrics is
reporting that the use of pesticides could not only be a correlated factor, but
might also be a cause.
"It's mainly exposure through food. Diet is the
driver," says pediatrician and public health expert Phil Landrigan, MD,
professor and chair of the department of community and preventive medicine at
Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. "For most people, diet is
the predominant source. It's been shown that people who switch to an organic
diet knock down the levels of pesticide by-products in their urine by 85 to 90
percent."
The researchers studied 1,140 children, analyzing their
urine. They found that of the 1,140
children studied, they met the criteria for ADHD. Children with a high level of the breakdown
product of neurotoxic organophosphate pesticides were twice as likely to be
diagnosed with ADHD. Other researchers
have recommended that women eat organic at least six months before conception
and also during pregnancy.
This study focused on organophosphates, which are designed
to attack the neurological systems of pests.
There are roughly 40 organophosphate pesticides registered with the
Environmental Protection Agency. People
are exposed to these chemicals through their drinking water and also through
the use of residential pesticides.
The chemicals are widely used. A 2008 report found that one of the organophosphates,
Malathion, is present in 28% of all frozen blueberries, 25% of all
strawberries, and 19% of celery. It is
recommended that in order to protect your family from these pesticides, you may
want to consider eating more organic food.
No comments:
Post a Comment