The incidence of ADHD seems to be more prevalent every passing year. Because of the severe symptoms some of the affected children suffer, and the subsequent learning impairment and difficulties they experience, several studies have been undertaken to try to discover what if any are the environmental factors that could contribute to the high incidence of the syndrome.
We all know people who have children whose habits are difficult to manage. Hyperactivity, unwillingness to listen, poor studying habits and so forth.
But the incidence of the syndrome has escalated in the past few decades, leading some to suspect that its occurrence might be tied to the increased use of chemical compounds in the food chain.
A study from Harvard's school of medical studies has in fact made some startling connections between the use of pesticides in agriculture and ADHD.
One of the ways they have tried to establish a link was to examine the urine of children in the age groups that interested the study and who had different levels of exposure to a certain class of pesticides that are widely used worldwide.
The scientists at the Harvard school have in fact expressed that there is a growing concern that the use of pesticides may be related to ADHD.
What is more worrisome is that the same scientists have warned that their study has pointed out that such possible connection is seen even in those people who are exposed to low concentrations.
The class of pesticides in question is called Organoposphates. They were originally developed in warfare. The use of these chemicals in the war theatre allowed biologists to realize that the chemicals had a definite and toxic effect on the nervous system.
There are about 40 different pesticides in the Organoposphate class, such a malathion, in the US.
The scientists also noted that these chemicals were also associated with behavioral problems in those who were exposed in wartime, which are closely related to the symptoms of ADHD. For example: impulsivity and attention deficiency. However the process by which these chemical produce these symptoms in the body is poorly understood.
The scientists also warned that the indoor use of pesticides could be to blame, together with those employed in farming.
Some manufacturer have declined to acknowledge the finding by pointing to the fact that the scientific papers in their opinion do not establish a clear connection with some of their products.
The sample studied by the Harvard scientists included 1,139 children between the age of 8 and 15. The sample was then weeded out to find the most suitable group, which was about 10% of the initial selection.
After accounting for age and gender factors, they found that the odds of having ADHD rose with the level of pesticide breakdown products, i.e. the levels of the product in their urine.
When the level of exposure was increased 10 fold, the odds of ADHD increasing climbed to 50%.
And for the most common breakdown product, dimethyl-triophosphate, the odds of ADHD nearly doubled in those children who had above average levels of exposure, compared to those whose breakdown product level was below the threshold of detectability.
More studies are needed to confirm these findings. However the studies nonetheless advise parents to limit the children's exposure to such pesticides by washing produce and limiting or eliminating the use of indoor pesticides.
Source: Harvard school of medical studies / Report of 8/2010
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