Pesticides causing ADHD in children?

However, as of now the researchers said, there is no confirmation that pesticides can actually cause ADHD.

Though previous studies have linked neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders to pesticide exposure in early life, but they were mostly thought to affect people who had abnormally high exposure to the chemicals, like farmworkers.

Even low pesticide levels linked to ADHD?
However, data from the general U.S. population was taken for this new study, which indicates that the levels of pesticides found in our normal environment could also be harmful.

The study is based on “a population sample more representative of the United States, and not one selected for being at high exposure,” said study author Marc G. Weisskopf of Harvard University's School of Public Health in the June issue of Pediatrics.

“There is growing concern that these pesticides may be related to ADHD,” he said, adding, “What this paper specifically highlights is that this may be true even at low concentrations.”

Weisskopf and his colleagues conducted a study using data of about 1,139 children from the government's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, from 2000 to 2004.

They collected information regarding the level of metabolites of malathion in urine and regarding the number of children who developed ADHD. 119 children were diagnosed with the problem.

Rising concerns regarding effects of pesticides
After interviewing the mothers or caretakers of children, and taking their gender, age and race into consideration, the researchers found that the chances of developing ADHD were proportional to the level of pesticide breakdown products.

There is growing concern that these pesticides may be related to ADHD…. this may be true even at low concentrations -- study author Marc G. Weisskopf

"That's a very strong association that, if true, is of very serious concern," said Weisskopf.

In the past 3-4 decades cases of ADHD have sharply risen, though it is also sometimes attributed to the improved standards of diagnosis.

Some forty organophosphate pesticides like malathion are registered in the U.S., and about 73 million pounds is said to be used in agricultural and residential settings. It is alarming that the levels of pesticides considered normal are now beginning to show adverse effects.

"Organophosphates are one of the most widely used pesticides in agriculture to protect crops and fruits and vegetables," said author Maryse Bouchard. "For children, the major source of exposure would be the diet -- fruits and vegetables in particular."

Wash your fruits/vegetables
Researchers suggest that while fruits and vegetables cannot be removed from our diets, washing them thoroughly before eating could help. The idea is to reduce the exposure to pesticides, as much as possible, they said.

ADHD is known to be heritable, and several other causes including alcohol and tobacco exposure may cause the problem. Researchers have said that further research is required to figure out what levels of pesticides can cause how much harm in children.