Pregnant women who are exposed to pesticides endanger their children. These neurotoxic products greatly increase the risk of autism in the baby.
Pesticides and pregnancy do not mix. According to a study published on June 23 in Environmental Health Perspectives, these agricultural chemicals greatly increase the risk of autism or cognitive retardation when the mother is exposed to them during gestation. These neurotoxic effects vary depending on the type of pesticides used.
Observing that the prevalence of autism has more than doubled in 15 years, Californian scientists have looked for possible causes. They compared, on nearly 1000 participants, the link between exposure to pesticides during pregnancy and the presence or not of an autistic disorder in children. “We took note of where our participants lived during pregnancy and around birth. In California, pesticide sprays must report what they used, where they did it, when they did it and how much they vaporized, ”explains Irva Hertz-Picciotto, author of the study. “We observed that several types of pesticides were often used near homes where children developed autism, or had cognitive delays. “
One in three participants lived within 2 km of an area where pesticides were sprayed. When a pregnant woman was exposed to agricultural chemicals, the risk of her child developing autism was increased by 66%. The risk is particularly present after the 2e trimester of pregnancy.
Most importantly, not all pesticides have the same effect. Thus, organophosphates are most strongly associated with a risk of autism spectrum disorders. Carbamates significantly increase the risk of cognitive delay. “The message is very clear: Pregnant women should be careful to avoid contact with agricultural chemicals,” concludes Janie Shelton, lead author of the study. It is still necessary to be warned of their use, which is not the case in all countries …
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