Household pesticides linked to intellectual impairment in children

by Rich Bowden - Mar 5 2008, 04:42

Intellectual impairment in children, previously blamed on high lead doses, may have been caused by excessive exposure to household chemicals such as pesticide.

Macquarie University researcher Professor Brian Gulson said that, while lead has undoubtedly contributed detrimentally to children's intellectual development, exposure to low levels of organophosphate pesticides also mirrored these effects.

"Many of the lead studies have been undertaken in communities where the subjects may be exposed to rodents and insects [and] the chemicals used to eradicate them," wrote Prof Gulson.

He added that future studies of lead contamination in children should also take into account the amount of exposure to pesticides though said the "horse may have bolted" on this issue.

"The current very low blood lead levels compared with the earlier longitudinal studies will limit the possibility to determine respective contributors to neurodevelopmental deficits," he writes.

However Prof. Gulson's findings have not received full support in the scientific community.

Toxicologist Professor Chris Winder, at the University of New South Wales says he does not support the idea though concedes Gulson's view is an "interesting idea".

"While some pesticides may affect neurological development, most typically the organophosphates, many household pesticides do not contain them," says Winder, from the School of Safety Science.

"However, lead is a known neurotoxicant, and its effects on reproduction and neurodevelopment are extensive and very well known."

Professor Gulson's findings are available in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

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