Pesticides on Food Linked to Adhd in Children

Around 7% of school-aged children are affected by ADHD. In the past, we have seen research evidence linking ADHD to inheritable factors, prenatal alcohol exposure, prenatal tobacco exposure, and childhood exposure to lead.

Now, a new research study is suggesting a link between exposure to high levels of pesticides with ADHD in children.  The organophosphate pesticides are widely used in agriculture, and are commonly found on many of the produce we eat everyday- berries, celery, etc.. 

High levels of organophosphates are thought to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, a nervous system enzyme. Moderate levels of organophosphates are thought to affect growth factors and neurotransmitters.

The author of the research cautioned that her findings certainly doesn’t mean that parent’s should not give their children fruits and vegetables, and that the research does not prove that pesticide exposure causes ADHD. However, it does show that pesticides COULD raise the odds for ADHD, and therefore parent’s should take precautions such as buying organic, buying directly from farmers, and washing fruits and vegetables appropriately before eating them. In, other words, try to reduce the exposure to pesticides as a safety precaution. 

1,100 Children age 8 to 15 were used in the study. The children with higher pesticide levels in their urine were more likely to have ADHD. The effects of children being exposed to pesticides vs. adults may be attributed to the fact that a child is still growing and the amount of pesticides consumed relative to body weight is greater in children. 

It is important to note that a 2008 Emory University study investigated children that switched their diet to organic fruits and veggies, and their urine levels of pesticide dropped to undetectable levels.

I think that the research has a long way to go in actually linking ADHD to pesticides. However, the existing evidence is probing enough that parent’s should consider using organic products as a precautionary measure. 

Read more about the study here