Common Insecticide Put Children at Risk for Neurodevelopmental Disorders

“It should be no surprise that studies confirm that these chemicals alter brain development, since they were originally designed to adversely affect the central nervous system,” Hertz-Picciotto said.

Despite growing evidence of harm and recommendations from scientific advisors to and scientists within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, many organophosphates remain in use. This may be in part because low-level, ongoing exposures typically don’t cause visible, short-term clinical symptoms, leading to the incorrect assumption that these exposures are inconsequential, according to Hertz-Picciotto.

“Acute poisoning is tragic, of course, however the studies we reviewed suggest that the effects of chronic, low-level exposures on brain functioning persist through childhood and into adolescence and may be lifelong, which also is tragic,” Hertz-Picciotto explained.
Recommendations to protect children

In addition to conducting the scientific review, the authors offered recommendations for substantially reducing organophosphate exposures, including:

• Removing organophosphates from agricultural and non-agricultural uses and products
• Proactively monitoring sources of drinking water for organophosphate levels
• Establishing a system for reporting pesticide use and illnesses

Until a ban can occur, the reviewers recommend:

• Greater medical and nursing education on organophosphates to improve treatment for and patient education on avoiding exposures
• Training for agricultural workers in their languages on proper handling and application of organophosphate pesticides
• Increased use of less-toxic alternatives and a transition toward sustainable pest-control measures

In addition to Hertz-Picciotto, the review team included Jennifer Sass of the Natural Resources Defense Council and George Washington University, Stephanie Engel of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Deborah Bennett of UC Davis Health, Asa Bradman and Brenda Eskenazi of UC Berkeley, Bruce Lamphear of Simon Fraser University and Robin Wyatt of Columbia University.

A copy of their review, titled “Organophosphate Exposure During Pregnancy and Child Neurodevelopment: Recommendations for Essential Policy Reforms,” is online.

The scientific review was funded by Project TENDR — Targeting Environmental Neuro-Development Risks — an alliance of more than 50 of the nation’s top scientists, health professionals and children’s advocates. Their aim is to reduce exposures to chemicals and pollutants during fetal development and early childhood that can contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Established in 2015 by Hertz-Picciotto, the UC Davis Environmental Health Sciences Center links experts across scientific disciplines for studies on the effects of environmental chemicals, pollutants, events and disasters on disease and disability. The ultimate goal is to foster new approaches and policies that protect communities from harmful exposures.

Contacts and sources:
Karen Finney