Previous studies have shown that that exposure to organophosphate pesticides used to spray commercially grown fruits and vegetables may impair the neurobehavioral development of children (1,2). Now, a recent study published in the medical journal Pediatrics has demonstrated an association between organophosphate pesticides and the incidence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)(3). Levels of pesticide by-products were measured in urine samples from 1,139 children aged 8-15 across America and those children that had levels higher than the median concentration of the pesticide by-product dimethyl thiophosphate were twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. These findings support the hypothesis that exposure to organophosphate pesticides found in commercially grown fruits and vegetables may contribute to the incidence of ADHD. Prospective studies are now needed to determine if there is a cause and effect relationship.

Christopher J. Jones, M.Sc., Ph.D.

References

1) Jurewicz J. & Hanke, W. (2008) Prenatal and Childhood Exposure to Pesticides and Neurobehavioral Development: Review of Epidemiological Studies. Int. J. Occup. Med. Environ. Health. 21(2):121–132.

2) Rosas, L. G. & Eskenazi, B. (2008) Pesticides and Child Neurodevelopment. Curr. Opin. Pediatr. 20(2):191–197.

3) Bouchard, M. F. et al. (2010) Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Urinary Metabolites of Organophosphate Pesticides. Pediatrics 2010;125:e1270–e1277. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2009-3058v1