Children are more likely to develop ADHD when exposed to pesticides

Recent studies from the University of California–Berkeley reveal that children who are exposed to organaphosphate pesticides are at risk of developing attention problems, reports Natural News.

The study found a weak connection between exposure to pesticides and attention problems at age 3. However, by the time the child reached age 5, researchers found a strong correlation. They added that there is a loss of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra, which plays a role in movement, addiction and reward.

The increased concentration of organophosphate metabolites found in a mother’s urine, researchers found, corresponded to a 500 percent increase in the child’s risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They added that a connection between pesticide exposure and nerve-related disorders is not surprising because these chemicals are designed to disrupt insect nervous system.

Experts say that individuals who suffer from ADHD often exhibit impulsive behavior, difficulty concentrating and increases in aggression and restlessness.

According to a 2007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report , nearly 5.4 million children between the ages of 4 and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD.