Organophosphates, which were originally developed for chemical warfare, are known to be toxic to the nervous system. They are currently used in a variety of pesticides. According to a new study published online in the journal Pediatrics, children exposed to organophosphate pesticides may be more likely to have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Researchers from the University of Montreal and their colleagues tracked the breakdown products of organophosphate pesticides in the urine of 1,139 children between the ages of 8 and 15 from the general U.S. population. They found that those children with high urinary levels of organophosphate metabolites were nearly twice as likely to develop ADHD as those children with undetectable levels. Each 10-fold increase in the urinary concentration of organophosphate breakdown products was associated with a 55 to 72 percent increase in the risk of having ADHD. Although the researchers were not able to confirm the source of the organophosphate metabolites, they suggest that the most likely sources were pesticides and insecticides.

Currently, there are approximately 40 organophosphate pesticides registered for use in the United States. Although the mechanism by which organophosphate pesticides lead to impulse control and attention problems, this study adds to a growing body of evidence that organophosphate pesticides may be related to ADHD, even at low concentrations. Based on the findings of this study, the researchers encourage parents to check the house for insecticides and thoroughly wash fresh produce, including fruits and vegetables, in order to reduce exposure to organophosphate pesticides.

Source:

Pediatrics. Published online 17 May 2010.