ADHD in Kids Linked to Pesticides in Food

Photo: sean dreilinger

Eating healthy is getting tougher these days. New research shows that pesticides commonly found in foods such as frozen blueberries, fresh strawberries and celery can increase the chances of kids being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Kids with high pesticide levels in their urine were found to be more likely to have ADHD than kids with no traces of the poison in their system.

According to the National Academy of Sciences, diet is a major source of pesticide exposure in children, with a government report from 2008 showing detectable concentrations of malathion in 28 percent of frozen blueberry samples, 25 percent of fresh strawberry samples and 19 percent of celery samples. Children face a higher risk from exposure than adults because they’re still developing and might not be able to metabolize chemicals that an adult body can.

Photo: yucca2k6

The consumer advocacy group, The Environmental Working Group, advises parents to buy organic fruits and vegetables when they’re able to, wash all fruits and veggies (including those from the frozen food aisle) under cold running water, and to use a brush to scrub any produce with firm skin.

Sources:
MSNBC
Pediatrics Journal