Scientists have recently found a link between Attention Deficit Disorder and pesticides commonly used in food production-- Good news for organics, but bad news for the kids (and their parents). Maybe this will hush up some of the annoying "scientists" who call people quacks for seeking out organic alternatives. Of course one study won't change the world, but it might lead to more studies and hopefully challenge us (agricultural industry and consumers) to reassess and CHANGE how we choose to grow our food.
An excerpt of one of many articles on this topic is below (bold emphasis added by me); you can read the full version here.
From the Associated Press...
Children may be especially prone to the health risks of pesticides because they're still growing and they may consume more pesticide residue than adults relative to their body weight.
In the body, pesticides break down into compounds that can be measured in urine. Almost universally, the study found detectable levels: The compounds turned up in the urine of 94 percent of the children.
The kids with higher levels had increased chances of having ADHD, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, a common problem that causes students to have trouble in school. The findings were published Monday in Pediatrics.
The children may have eaten food treated with pesticides, breathed it in the air or swallowed it in their drinking water. The study didn't determine how they were exposed. Experts said it's likely children who don't live near farms are exposed through what they eat.
"Exposure is practically ubiquitous. We're all exposed," said lead author Maryse Bouchard of the University of Montreal.
She said people can limit their exposure by eating organic produce. Frozen blueberries, strawberries and celery had more pesticide residue than other foods in one government report.
A 2008 Emory University study found that in children who switched to organically grown fruits and vegetables, urine levels of pesticide compounds dropped to undetectable or close to undetectable levels.
(Continue reading here)
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Yeah Emory! I went to Emory...
ReplyDeleteYeah, this is ridiculous. There should not even be an organic choice. All food should be grown to a standard that is even better than what is presently 'USDA' organic. Organic should be the way we grow our food, not something that people with 'enough money' can buy!
That's what I think at least...
Yeah, Emory is a great school - almost went there but life took me elsewhere :).. I do find it absurd that organic is becoming an option only for the rich. Most everyday folk can't fathom spending $6 for 1 organic bell pepper when you can get a non-organic one for less than a dollar. Something's gotta change.
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