News, Pesticides in food linked to ADHD in kids. (diet, hyper, concentration)

[JD59]

Levels of pesticides commonly encountered across the country in food as well as around the home are significantly increasing children's risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and could be causing an increase in the number of children living with the condition, according to new research published in the journal Pediatrics.

Pesticides in food linked to ADHD in kids - Health - Children's health - msnbc.com

[suzy_q2010]

It would be nice if the author of this article gave a link to the article in the Journal.

The study appears to be from May of last year. If there is a more recent one, I can't find it.

The author of the article also does not understand the difference between a pesticide and an herbicide. The addition of the material on genetically altered products is irrelevant.

All in all, it reads like a promotion piece for organic foods.

It's hard to know how to evaluate the original study without knowing how the diets of the kids with higher pesticide levels in the urine differ from those with lower levels. The diets were not tracked. If the lower level kids are eating more organic foods, that would be helpful to know.

However, Dr. Landrigan is the top expert in environmental effects on children. He is involved in a long-term study to better characterize the effects of environmental substances during pregnancy and childhood.

He does say to eat organic foods to the extent that you can afford it. Unfortunately, organic stuff is a lot more expensive.

He also concedes that pesticides may be a necessary evil. They are used not only to control insects that eat crops but also insects that carry disease, such as mosquitoes

And it certainly makes sense to avoid as much as possible exposure to pesticides in the home.

For fruits and vegetables, peeling and washing can help reduce exposure to pesticides. And if you grow your own, you can not use pesticides at all.

[Dorthy]

Here is the study:
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Urinary Metabolites of Organophosphate Pesticides

[gramirez2012]

They've been saying that for years.

[suzy_q2010]

Originally Posted by Dorthy

Here is the study:
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Urinary Metabolites of Organophosphate Pesticides

Thank you! For some reason I could not get google to pull it up.

The source of the data for the study did not include dietary information. That's too bad. It would be interesting to know whether there is a difference in the source of the foods the ADHD kids eat or a difference in the way it is handled in preparation. Also, without diet info, there is no way to know whether some of the kids might be exposed to pesticides in homes or on farms or even in schools from other than dietary sources.

For example, cooking decreases the concentration of organophosphates in meat.

Effect of pH and Cooking Temperature on the Stability of Organophosphate Pesticides in Beef Muscle - Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (ACS Publications)

Washing fruits and vegetables with plain tap water reduces pesticide residue (and helps remove bacteria). Wash first, then peel.

CAES: Removal of Trace Pesticide Residues from Produce

Consumer Health Articles: PESTICIDES ON FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

On cooking, washing, and peeling fruits and vegetables:

Eliminating Pesticides in Fruits and Vegertables (Part I)

Organic does mean less pesticide residue:

Pesticide Residues In Conventional, IPM-Grown And Organic Foods: Insights From Three U.S. Data Sets (summary)

But you have to be cautious about claims of no pesticides at all. Know your source.

Bottom line:

Specific advice from Consumer Reports Magazine on buying organic:

Buying organic? Read how to do so without breaking the bank

Avoid pesticides inside the home if possible.

Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Peel and discard the peeling.

If you are going to cook it, you will also eliminate a significant amount of pesticides.