Children living in agricultural areas exposed to pesticides have impaired lung function. If this disorder persists, they could develop serious respiratory pathologies.
The most frequently used pesticides cause lung damage in children, reveals a study conducted by the University of Berkeley in California (United States) and published this Thursday in the journal Thorax. This early exposure could lead to serious health problems in adulthood.
American researchers are interested in the health impact of organophosphorus pesticides. They were developed in the 1970s to replace organochlorine compounds such as DDT – an insecticide banned for 30 years – which persists in the environment and the human body. Very effective against insects, these phytosanitary products have quickly established themselves in agriculture. They are also found in some anti-lice of our dear little darlings.
According to the Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS), organophosphate pesticides are responsible for high mortality from poisoning, particularly among agricultural workers, pesticide applicators and manufacturers. The acute effects of an overdose consist of dysfunction of the nervous system. “Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, weakness, paralysis, hypersalivation, slow heart rate and seizures. The poisoning can be fatal by asphyxiation due to the weakness of the respiratory muscles”, explains the InVS.
Long-term troubles
“Research has described respiratory problems in farm workers exposed to these products, but this new study focuses on children who live in agricultural areas where organophosphate pesticides are used,” says Brenda Eskenazi, author of the study and professor of maternal and child health epidemiology.
In the heart of the Salinas Valley in California – an agricultural land known for its lettuce – the scientists therefore followed nearly 280 children for 5 years. They collected 5 urine samples from the 6th months of children until they are 5 years old in order to measure the level of metabolites of organophosphorus pesticides. Then the researchers gave the children a spirometer to assess the maximum volume of exhaled air, an indicator of respiratory function.
“The children most exposed to pesticides are those with the lowest respiratory capacity,” says Rachel Raanan, the work manager. If this impairment persists into adulthood, these children will be at greater risk of developing respiratory disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). »
Leave clothes and shoes outside
“COPD is becoming a leading cause of death worldwide,” adds Dr. John Balmes, study co-author and professor of environmental health at UC Berkeley. Since we know that reduced lung function increases the risk of this pathology, it is important to identify and reduce environmental exposure during childhood. »
Researchers then advise limiting the entry of these toxic products into the home. For farm workers, they recommend removing their clothes and shoes outside. They also suggest that children should be kept as far away from fields as possible when spraying, and if they are indoors, windows should be closed. Exposure to pesticides can also be limited by washing and peeling fruits and vegetables.
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