Sample Research

Note: This is just a small excerpt of our research. We have compiled reports available on our Reports and Handouts page.

ASTHMA
ADD/ADHD
CHILDHOOD CANCERS
COMMON PESTICIDES CONCERNS
PESTICIDES IN FOOD

PESTICIDES AND YOUR HEALTH

CANCER HEALTH EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES. Bassil KL. Et al., CANADIAN FAMILY PHYSICIAN 53: 1704-1711 (2007)

http://www.cfp.ca/cgi/content/full/53/10/1704

The Ontario College of Family Physicians reviewed 102 studies that were published from 1992 to 2003 that found evidence of cancer related to the use of pesticides. The reviews of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and leukemia related studies consistently presented links to pesticide exposure. The studies also confirmed that exposure to pesticides by pregnant women and children were linked to cancer. Researchers mention several times that some children with cancer had associations solely because their parents were exposed to pesticides at their place of employment. Cancers predominately linked to pesticide exposure were brain, prostate, and kidney cancers, with increased risks reported to children.

NON-CANCER HEALTH EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND IMPLICATIONS FOR FAMILY DOCTORS Sanborn M. et al., CANADA FAMILY PHYSICIAN 53(10):1712-1720 (2007) http://www.cfp.ca/cgi/content/abstract/53/10/1712

The objective of this investigation was to find any associations between pesticide exposure and “four chronic non-cancer health effects: dermatologic,neurologic, reproductive, and genotoxic effects.”  Data was gathered from three online medical journal databases: PreMedline, MEDLINE, and LILACS.  A total of 124 studies since 1992 were included in this overview.

Conclusions:  Research evidence consistently associates pesticide exposure to three of the four chronic health effects. Sound evidence is apparent for all neurologic and genotoxicity outcomes.  As well as evidence of “four of six reproductiveeffects: birth defects, fetal death, altered growth, and otheroutcomes”.  Genetic damage was commonly increased two-fold in relation to pesticide exposure. Dermatologic health effects were most commonly found in high level exposure cases, usually due to pesticide use on the job.

BODY BURDEN, THE POLLUTION IN NEWBORNS. Houlihan, J., et al, ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP (2005) http://www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2/execsumm.php

Researchers at two major laboratories found an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants in the umbilical cord blood of ten newborns. This in-depth study includes concise and helpful graphs that accompany each aspect of the research.  The testing procedures are very expensive to conduct, thus it is rare to see such a study with more than 10 to 15 subjects.  Interestingly, this study included blood testing for chemical body burden of three adults including a US Congressman.

ASTHMA IN CHILDREN TODAY

Beyond Pesticides: A National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides provides a closer look at asthma and pesticides today in their PDF article

Asthma, Children and Pesticides: What you should know to protect you family

EARLY-LIFE ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS FOR ASTHMA: FINDINGS FROM THE CHILDREN’S HEALTH STUDY. Salam, M. et al., ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES, 112(6):760-765 (2004) http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/members/2003/6662/6662.html

This study of early childhood onset asthma was conducted to determine whether environmental factors such as exposure to pesticides including herbicides would trigger asthma under the age of five. The researchers concluded there is a significant increase in childhood asthma when exposed to these risk factors, especially pesticides.

LIFE PREVALENCE OF UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT DISEASES AND ASTHMA AMONG CHILDREN RESIDING IN RURAL AREA NEAR A REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL PARK: CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.  Karakis I. et al., School of Public Health, RURAL AND REMOTE HEALTH. 9(3)1092 (2009) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19645525

A study of 550 children born in seven locales, (three proximal and four distant), no farther than 20km from an industrial park in Negev in southern Israel, find direct correlation due to distance and wind direction. Life prevalence of upper respiratory tract diseases in children of proximal residence was higher than those of distant residences.  Also, a higher rate of asthma LP was found in children residing downwind from industrial park emissions.

ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER/ ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER  (ADD/ADHD)

ATTENTION-DEFECIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER AND URINARY METABOLITES OF ORGANOPHOSPHATE PESTICIDES. Bouchard MF et al., Pediatrics 125(6):1270-1277 (2010) http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/125/6/e1270

Children with higher urinary levels of organophosphate metabolites were more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Since the test group is representative of the entirety of children in the US, and not just those who congregate in areas with a high concentration of pesticides, these findings are startling, and present a need for immediate action and extensive research regarding pesticides.  This article was recently the lead health story on Fox, CNN and NBC as well as in the print media.

PESTICIDES IN KIDS LINKED TO ADHD, RESEARCHER ADVISES PARENTS TO BUY ORGANIC, WASH PRODUCE JoNel Aleccia, MSNBC.com, May 18, 2010. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37156010

Children may be exposed to pesticides through choice of diet.  Children found to have residue from commonly used insecticides, such as malathion, in their urine were linked to ADHD.  Children with above average levels of pesticide residue in their urine were up to twice as likely to have ADHD as those without the pesticide residue.

CHILDHOOD CANCERS

FAMILY PESTICIDE USE AND CHILDHOOD BRAIN CANCER Davis J.R et al., Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 24(1) (1993) http://www.springerlink.com/content/w77584x556w168k1/

Results of this case-control study find major positive correlation between childhood brain cancer and home and garden use of pesticides, insecticides and herbicides.  When compared to a control group of 108 cancer patients, association was observed for pesticide bombs, termite control, pet flea collars, insecticides and carbaryl in the garden or orchard and herbicide for weed control.

HOME PESTICIDE USE AND CHILDHOOD CANCER:  A CASE-CONTROL STUDY. Leiss, J., et al., American Journal of Public Health, 85:249-252 (1995) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1615305/

This study by J. Leiss et al. published in the American Journal of Public Health indicates a strong correlation between household pesticides usage with certain childhood cancers: soft tissue sarcomas and leukemia’s. The strongest correlations linked pest strips, exterminations, and yard treatments with these cancers in a case-control study.

HOUSEHOLD EXPOSURE TO PESTICIDES AND RISK OF CHILDHOOD HEMATOPOIETIC MALIGNANCIES: THE ESCALE STUDY (SFCE). Rudant, J., et al., Environmental Health Perspectives,115(12):1787-1793 (2007) http://www.ehponline.org/members/2007/10596/10596.html

This study found household usage of pesticides plays a role in the etiology of childhood hematopoietic malignancies, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non–Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and acute leukemia. The authors conclude it is probably advisable to prevent pregnant women from using pesticides due to the potential for producing childhood cancers.

PESTICIDES AND CHILDHOOD CANCER: AN UPDATE OF ZAHM AND WARD’S 1998 REVIEW.  Infante-Rivard,Claire, Weichenthal, Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 10:81–99 (2007)  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18074305

This toxicological study indicates that children are notably at risk to pesticide exposure throughout gestation due to parental occupation and carry-home residues. It is an update of an important review of existing studies.  The authors from McGill‘s Department of Epedmiology concluded the following. “A number of epidemiological studies consistently reported increased risks between pesticide exposures and childhood leukemia, brain cancer, neuroblastoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Wilms' tumor, and Ewing's sarcoma.”

RISK OF CHILDHOOD CANCERS ASSOCIATED WITH RESIDENCE IN AGRICULTURALLY INTENSE AREAS IN THE UNITED STATES. Carozza S et al. Environmental Health Perspectives, 116(4):559-565 (2008) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18414643

This joint study by three prestigious university public health and epidemiological centers and the National Center for Atmospheric Research indicates an alarming coincidence of childhood cancers due to pesticide drift caused by agricultural usage. The authors concluded that “results showed statistically significant increased risk estimates for many types of childhood cancers associated with residence at diagnosis in counties having a moderate to high level of agricultural activities.”

CRITICAL WINDOW OF EXPOSURE TO HOUSEHOLD PETICIDES AND RISK OF CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA. Xiaomei Ma, et al., Environmental Health Perspectives 110(9):955-960 (2002) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12204832

This study recommends further analysis of household pesticide exposure as it relates to childhood leukemia, the etiology of which will be better understood when the timing and location of the pesticide exposure is given more weight as a credible risk factor.

Additionally, the study data suggests that household pesticide exposure is associated with an increased risk of childhood leukemia. In fact, households that employed professional pest control services before birth and up to three years showed a significant associated increased risk for childhood leukemia. Moreover, the highest risk has been demonstrated during the second year of exposure. Furthermore, early exposure (three months before attaining pregnancy, being pregnant, and the first three years of life) to these insecticides appears to be more harmful than exposure later in life. In addition, the more frequent the exposure (i.e. dose response relationship), the greater the associated risk to develop leukemia. But it is important to point out, that exposure to both herbicides and fungicides did not carry the same risk in this study.

HOUSEHOLD EXPOSURE TO PESTICIDES AND RISK OF CHILDHOOD ACUTE LEUKEMIA. Menegaux F. et al., Occupational and environmental medicine., 63(2):131-134 (2006) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16421392

Summary:  This study recommends further analysis of household pesticide exposure (both home and garden use) as it relates to acute childhood leukemia, the etiology of which will be better understood when the timing and the location of pesticide exposure is given more weight as a credible risk factor.

Moreover, the data from this study suggests certain types of residential insecticide exposure are associated with an increased risk of acute childhood leukemia, especially during pregnancy. The same holds true for the use of both insecticides and fungicides used in the garden although the risk is not as significant. Also, exposure to insecticidal shampoos (which contain a variety of insecticides) to treat head lice (pediculous) is associated with acute childhood leukemia, and should therefore be investigated.

RESIDENTIAL PESTICIDES AND CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS. Turner MC. Et al., Environmental health perspectives. 118(1):33-41 (2010) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20056585

Summary: This systematic review recommends continued examination to elucidate "potential mechanics of action and pesticide interactions."  There is also a need to study the uses of pesticides indoors which are currently not addressed in Canadian cosmetic pesticide by-laws.

Moreover, this study concludes there is a positive association between residential pesticide (including both insecticides and herbicides) exposure during three critical windows, namely preconception, pregnancy, and childhood, with the subsequent development of childhood leukemia. The strongest link was shown with exposure to insecticides.

EFFECTS OF COMMON PESTICIDES YOU MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH

GLYPHOSATE FORMULATIONS INDUCE APOPTOSIS AND NECROSIS IN HUMAN UMBILICAL, EMBRYONIC AND PLACENTAL CELLS. Benachour, N, et al. Chemical Research in Toxicology 22(1):97-105 (2009) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19105591

A landmark toxicological study on the various formulations of glyphosate (Roundup) found that in even using dilute levels of active and inactive ingredients, cell death occurred within 18 or 24 hours in human umbilical, embryonic and placental cells. The authors from the University of Caen, France suggested further dilution and stricter monitoring standards. In important findings, they discover that most glyphosate-based pesticides endanger fetal health.

EFFECTS OF ROUNDUP AND GLYPHOSATE FORMULATIONS ON INTRACELLULAR TRANSPORT, MICROTUBULES AND ACTIN FILAMENTS IN XENOPUS LAEVIS MELANOPHORES Hedberg D., Wallin M. Toxicology in Vitro.  24(3):795-802 (2010) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20036731

Results of this study show that glyphosate compounds inhibit intracellular transport but are pH-dependent.   However the surfactants of Roudup increase the permeability of cell membranes allowing uptake of chemical substances at normal physiological pH. Therefore the surfactant ingredients of chemical formulations should be considered when regulations are proposed.

OVERVIEW OF THE TOXIC EFFECTS OF 2,4-D JANUARY 2005 PREPARED BY SIERRA CLUB OF CANADA 412-1 Nicholas St. Ottawa, ON http://www.sierraclub.ca/national/programs/health-environment/pesticides/2-4-D-overview.pdf

Summary: This detailed report provides an overview of scientific evidence demonstrating 2,4-D's (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) toxic effects. One study in mammals states the 2,4-D causes cellular mutations, which, in turn, can cause cancer. Another report confirms that 2,4-D depletes the body of its primary energy production molecule. Other studies link 2,4-D to an increased risk among farmers to develop non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In household use, exposure to 2,4-D causes malignant lymphoma in canines. Another study indicates that 2,4-D also interferes with neurotransmitters causing brain development delay and latered behavior. The report concludes with the concern that 2,4-D is a moderately persistent chemical in the environment, and is found in wetlands. It has negative impact of wildlife causing reproductive problems in birds and contributes to depleting their sources of food. The bio-accumulation of 2,4-D raises concerns and has been demonstrated in fish. By-products from the breakdown of 2,4-D are also very toxic to earthworms. Apparently, the fertility (fecundity) of beneficial insects is reduced as well.

The authors of this review believe that the use of 2,4-D has impacted both agriculture and wild life negatively. Thus, the Sierra Club of Canada insisted that 2,4-D be discontinued, from that they assert that cancer rates would decline as has been the case in Sweden where phenoxy herbicides have been banned.

PESTICIDES AND FOOD CONTAMINATION

The EPA regulates pesticides under broad authority granted in two major statutes, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) which were amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996.  Although the Food Quality Protection Act, of 1996 states that the “EPA must find that a pesticides poses a "reasonable certainty of no harm" before that pesticide can be registered for use on food or feed” and “the cumulative effects from exposure to different pesticides that produce similar effects in the human body” are considered.  What is not considered are the cumulative effects of pesticide residues that cause dissimilar effects.

Source: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/registration.htm

In many studies, multiply chemicals are found on foods and in livestock that we commonly eat.  Furthermore, some pesticides found on our foods are not registered for food and feed purposes.

The research of three Universities of Brazil studied honey samples and found malathion, an organophosphate insecticide, residue in all samples.  Researchers advise these residues were most likely due to use in controlling mosquitoes in the area.

The Department of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, from the Danish Institute for Food and Veterinary Research experimented with combinations of five pesticides often found as residues in food and observed complications to the liver, thymus, thyroid as well as blood. These reporters suggest that further studies be made to determine effects of individual and combinations of pesticides.

Although the EPA tries to hinder pesticide exposure through residues on food, they may not take into enough consideration drift through air to our food sources as well as contamination of water and seafood.

DEVELOPMENT, VALIDATION AND APPLICATION OF A METHODOLOGY BASED ON SOLID-PHASE MICRO EXTRACTION FOLLOWED BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY COUPLED TO MASS SPECTROMETRY (SPME/GC-MS) FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN MANGOES.  Menezes A, dos Santos FN, and Pereira PAD.  TALANTA 81(1-2): 346-354 (2010) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20188930

This study analyzed mango fruit for 14 pesticides.  All of the Brazilian mango samples contained the pesticides bifenthrin and azoxystrobin, though in concentrations below the MRL established by Brazillian legislation.

EVALUATION OF 10 PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN ORANGES AND TANGERINES FROM VALENCIA (SPAIN) Blasco C., Font G. and Picó Y.  Food Control, 17(11):841-846 (2006) http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2005.05.013

One hundred-sixteen tangerine and orange samples were taken from a Valencian Community (Spain) cooperative.   Samples were analyzed for content of ten pesticides. Fifty-two samples contained at least one type of pesticide residue and nine-teen samples contained residues from two or three types of pesticides.

HAEMATO-BIOCHEMICAL AND IMMUNO-PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF CHRONIC TOXICITY WITH SYNTHETIC PYRETHROID, ORGANOPHOSPHATE AND CHLORINATED PESTICIDES IN BROILER CHICKS Garg U.K. et al., International Immunopharmacology, 4(13):1709-1722 (2004) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15454122

This study examined the results of low level pesticide exposure to broiler chicks.  Results include atrophy/hypoplasia of the thymus and spleen.   As well as hemoraging of the thymus.  The results lead aurthors to believe that “the chronic exposure of chicks to small amount of synthetic pyrethroid (SP), organophosphate (OP) and chlorinated pesticides (CH)  leads to deleterious effects on metabolism and immune system of birds.”

LEVELS OF ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES RESIDUES IN DAIRY PRODUCTS IN KUMASI, GHANA Darko G. and Acquaah S.O.  Chemosphere, 71(2):294-298 (2008) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17942137

This study finds pesticide residues in milk, cheese and yogurt of six communities in Kumasi, Ghana.  This study suggests that an accumulation of pesticide residues may pose problems in humans and effective monitoring of residues in the environment is needed.

REPEATED DOSE 28-DAY ORAL TOXICITY STUDY IN WISTAR RATS WITH A MIXTURE OF FIVE PESTICIDES OFTEN FOUND AS RESIDUES IN FOOD: ALPHACYPERMETHRIN, BROMOPROPYLATE, CARBENDAZIM, CHLORPYRIFOS AND MANCOZEB Jacobsen H. et al., Food and Chemical Toxicology, 42(8):1269-1277 (2004) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15207377

The study examines the effects of five pesticides commonly found in our food.  The study was conducted on a repeated 28 day oral dose cycle, finding toxicity in Wistar rats.   The authors observed the following to the pesticide combinations as ingested by the rats. The  observed a series of considerable physical changes including:  hypertrophy of central liver cells as well as increased weight, decreased thymus weight, and increased thyroid gland weight.  The white blood cell count decreased, and “red blood cell count, haematocrite and haemoglobin concentration was significantly reduced.” The authors suggest that further studies should be made to determine effects of individual and combinations of pesticides.

NICOTINOID AND PYRETHROID INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE IN HOUSEFLIES (DIPTERA: MUSCIDAE) COLLECTED FROM FLORIDA DAIRIES. Kaufman PE et al., Pest Management Science. 66(3):290-2944 (2010) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19904713

Populations of houseflies in Florida have been found to have substantial resistance to nicotinoid and pyrethroid.  This is due to the overutilization of these insecticides.  Resistance to pyrethroids is commonly found in Florida where a great deal of spraying occurs.  According to the authors,. “Imidacloprid resistance is emerging, and tolerance was observed to both imidacloprid and nithiazine.”  These findings raise concern on the overuse of insecticides.

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LONGITUDINAL TRENDS IN ORGANOPHOSPHATE INCIDENTS REPORTED TO THE NATIONAL PESTICIDE INFORMATION CENTER, 1995–2007. Stone DL, et. al, Environmental Health

NON-CANCER HEALTH EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND IMPLICATIONS FOR FAMILY DOCTORS Sanborn M. et al., Canada Family Physician

CANCER HEALTH EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES. Bassil KL. Et al., Canadian Family Physician