What are the health effects linked to pesticide exposure?
Emerging scientific evidence is showing us that even relatively low doses of hazardous chemicals, including some pesticides, can seriously harm the development of the brain and that the combination or “cocktail” effects of exposure to several chemicals can be a major factor in the occurrence of cancer and other diseases, especially for the child developing in the uterus at critical stages. An article in a leading medical journal [1] states that 1 in every 6 children has development disabilities (including learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, and behavioural problems) in most cases affecting the nervous system. The article also highlights the growing evidence that industrial chemicals including some pesticides may be neurotoxic. Exposure to neurotoxic chemicals is not the only factor in damaged brain development and reduced brain function, but is a preventable cause of brain damage in many children. Low intensity exposure to pesticides may also increase the risk of neurod
