Are Pesticides Harmful to Physical and Mental Health?

New data is on the way to explore the effects of various pesticides on human physical and mental health. Studies are finding problematic associations between low-dose exposure to common pesticides ranging from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children to neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. Pesticides are found in the home, garden and our food. The majority of the pesticides humans are exposed to is in our food supply, through residue on and in fresh or processed fruits and vegetables, on corn and wheat products and in drinking water (Psychology Today).

The pesticides block acetylcholine neurotransmission and attack the human nervous system. In fact, these neurotoxins could result in permanent loss of brain functions if it occurred during the prenatal and early childhood period of brain development. Children who are exposed to pesticides increases the risk a child will develop ADHD. Pregnant women whose children registered with higher levels of exposure during pregnancy had deficits in perception and memory. In addition, children from farm-worker families had a seven point difference in IQ between children whose mother’s had the greatest versus lowest exposure to pesticides. Children at age one who had high exposure to pesticides demonstrated difficulty with spatial reasoning and visual processing.

Some researchers hypothesize that pesticides disrupts the normal functioning of endocrine hormones. In a recent study that investigated people who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease found that each person who was diagnosed lived within 550 yards of farm fields sprayed with pesticides for at least five years prior to their diagnosis.

The simplest way to minimize exposure is to consume organic fruits and vegetables. If this is not an option, be certain to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, regardless of whether you eat the skin.

A.C.T. will provide free resource information for individuals and families to help promote education. For more information, please contact Dr. Drecun at Dr.Drecun@a4ct.com or  (858) 792-3541. You may also visit us online at www.a4ct.com. ACT serves the Del Mar 92014 and Rancho Santa Fe 92067 area.