Prenatal exposure to organophosphate pesticides has been associated with reduced IQ, mental health problems, motor delays among preschoolers, memory problems, attention deficit, and autism (review of 27 studies).

Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to organophosphate pesticides can lead to serious health problems, including increased risks for cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and cancer.

Exposure can result in premature births.

In addition, permanent damage to the brain’s chemical make up, and changes in human behavior and emotion can occur to the unborn child in pregnant women.

We’ve known about these risks for some time, yet the chemicals are still used.

The authors note even lower level exposures are a health risk.

They are used primarily for agricultural uses but also in landscaping and public places to reduce mosquitoes.

The authors talk about past calls to action to reduce exposure of these neurotoxic pesticides…

• In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics called for pediatricians and governments to recognize and reduce pesticide exposures through education, pesticide labeling, public health surveillance, and regulatory action
• In 2016, an independent group of scientists and health professionals published the TENDR Consensus Statement as a national call to action to significantly reduce exposures to chemicals—including organophosphate pesticides that were identified as putting children at increased risk of neuro-developmental disorders.
• Project TENDR concluded the evidence of significant risks to children’s neuro-development from organophosphate pesticide exposure warrants strong regulatory action.
• In 2017, a United Nations report on the Right to Food called for changes to agricultural to ensure food that is safe and free from pesticides.

Here are some of the recommendations to markedly reduce prenatal and childhood exposures to organophosphate pesticides from the authors…

• The government ban of organophosphate pesticide use.
• Ban organophosphate pesticides for non-agricultural use, including household usage… and all other uses.
• They also recommend that medical schools, public health programs, and healthcare associations be educated about the chemicals and their toxicity.

These are some very strong recommendations for commonly used pesticides because of their neuro-toxic effects, particularly great for pregnant mothers carrying their unborn child.

 

More info here…

journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1002671