Are Pesticides in our foods Harmful?

It is clear that high levels of pesticide exposure are associated with adverse health effects.

Several studies have linked pesticide exposure to negative health effects, such as respiratory problems, reproductive issues, endocrine system disruption, neurological damage and increased risk of certain cancers.

Children are considered to be at a greater risk of developing pesticide toxicity than adults due to their smaller size, reduced amounts of certain detoxifying enzymes and the fact that developing brains are more susceptible to neurotoxic pesticides.

Studies have shown that children born to mothers with high pesticide exposure exhibited mental delays of up to two years, including deficits in coordination and visual memory.

Childhood exposure to pesticides has also been linked to an increased risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Another study found that pregnant women who lived near farmland where the pesticides organophosphate, pyrethroid or carbamate were sprayed were more likely to have children diagnosed with autism or autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

Furthermore, farmers who applied certain pesticides to their crops were found to have a higher frequency of obesity and colon cancer compared to the general population.

Regarding pesticide levels in the body, research shows that swapping conventional produce with organic versions significantly reduces or eliminates urinary levels of common pesticides.

Although it is clear that exposure to high doses of pesticides is harmful, more research is needed to determine if long-term exposure to the low levels of pesticides found in food is detrimental to health.