Kids Exposed to Pesticides

The effect was "dramatic and immediate," writes Chensheng "Alex" Lu, PhD, MS, and colleagues. Lu is an assistant professor in the environmental and occupational health department of Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta. Lu's team studied malathion and chlorpyrifos, two pesticides commonly used in conventional agricultural production.

The study was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which has strict rules about pesticide use. Limits include the amount of pesticides that can be used in growing and processing foods and the amount of pesticide residue on foods people buy.

"Most importantly, each of these decisions must protect infants and children, whose developing bodies may be especially sensitive to pesticide exposure," states the EPA's web site.

Shane Heaton, BFA nutritionist and organic food researcher, says "It's quite clear that children are more susceptible to pesticides than adults. They have a higher intake of food and drink per kilo of body weight, their detoxification systems are still developing, and their brains and organs are still growing.

"This study confirms again that going organic substantially limits exposure to environmental toxins."

"All parents want the best for their children, and when it comes to food, the best is organic."

"The logic is simple - While you can't avoid all environmental pollutants, you can lower your avoidable exposure, and lower your children's avoidable exposure. Food is a good, and important, place to start. Go organic."

A previous study at the University of Washington, published in 2002, also showed that children eating mostly organic food had far lower levels of pesticides in their urine than children eating mostly non-organic food.

Heaton concludes "There will be scientists who say these pollutants are doing us no harm. That the levels are too low. If you'd rather not gamble your health, and your children, on the chance they may be wrong, there's never been a more important time to watch what you put in and on your body."

E: info@bfa.com.au

W: www.bfa.com.au

BIOLOGICAL FARMERS OF AUSTRALIA CO OP LTD - THE VOICE OF AUSTRALIAN ORGANICS

BFA Media Release: 6 October 2005

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