Pesticides and ADHD: What’s the Connection?

Jessica Wang writes, “Pesticides are harmful both to the environment and to human health. And yet, we keep using them and keep eating pesticide-laden food. Now we can add one more thing to the list of problems for which pesticides are possibly to blame: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).”

A recent study, published in the journal, Pediatrics, found a link between pesticide exposure and cases of ADHD in the United States and Canada. Researchers found that children with high levels of dialkyl phosphates, the breakdown products of organophosphate pesticides, in their urine were highly likely to have ADHD. Even children with relatively low levels of this pesticide residue were twice as likely to have symptoms of ADHD than children whose test results did not have detectable levels of diaklkyl phosphates. The study did not establish that pesticides caused the children’s ADHD, only that there is an association between pesticide exposure and the disorder.

What is known is that organophosphates work by disrupting a neurotransmitter called acetylcholinesterase, causing damage to nerve connections in the brain. This is how they kill pests, when used on agricultural crops. Separate studies of mammals have also shown a link between pesticide exposure and hyperactivity and cognitive deficits. Children are more vulnerable than adults to the effects of pesticides, because their bodies are still developing, and may not metabolize chemicals as well as adults.

More studies are needed to determine definitively whether pesticides do cause ADHD, and which pesticides are most likely to harm children. Although there is still a lot to learn, something that we can do now is to choose organic and hydroponically-grown products over non-organic ones as much as possible.

One company, Growponics Americas has brought to N. America a unique, shallow-water hydroponic system that can grow all varieties of leafy greens and herbs without the need for pesticides, herbicides, or chemical washing, and their produce is pathogen free. Everything is grown in a perfect, climate and environmentally- controlled system that can be built anywhere near the markets, so that local-grown bring the clean and healthy product from greenhouse to the store or restaurants in as little as six hours. Vine vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet and hot peppers, small melons and strawberries are grown, as well. Look for the Growponics “Hydroponically-Grown” label when shopping for the freshest, cleanest, tasty, more colorful and healthy produce.

While it is disturbing to think that our food contains things that are harmful for us and our loved ones, we can control what goes into our bodies to some extent. Buy hydroponic and organic which have no pesticide, herbicide and chemical residues. Or, if you buy field-frown, buy locally grown foods, which tend be treated with less pesticides than imported produce, and wash them well. There are still no excuses for not eating your fruits and vegetables!

Here are the references for more on the ADHD – Pesticide study and related articles:
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Urinary Metabolites of Organophosphate Pesticides

Maryse F. Bouchard, Ph.D., David C. Bellinger, Ph.D., et. al
Published online May 17, 2010
PEDIATRICS (doi:10.1542/peds.2009-3058)
The Click Here for full text:
Time Magazine article referenced: