Pesticide Exposure and Development

Exposure to pyrethroid pesticides in utero may result in learning problems in children.
USA Today (2/8, Szabo) reports, "Babies exposed to high levels of pesticides while in the womb may suffer from learning problems," according to a study published online Feb. 7 in the journal Pediatrics. "The study focused on a chemical called permethrin, one of the pyrethroid pesticides, commonly used in agriculture and to kill termites, fleas, and household bugs," including cockroaches. After following 348 pregnant women and their youngsters for three years, researchers found that "children exposed to the highest pesticide levels before birth were three times as likely to have a mental delay compared to children with lower levels." HealthDay (2/7, Doheny) also covered the story.