Pesticide may cause ADHD in children

Canadian researchers analyzed nearly 1,140 children participating in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and the pesticide by-products in their urine.

Results showed that children who had substantially higher levels of a breakdown product of neurotoxic organophosphate pesticides in their body were two times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, researchers wrote in the journal Pediatrics.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), most people face exposure to about 40 different organophosphate pesticides registered by that agency through food, drinking water, and pesticide use.

A 2008 US Pesticide Residue Program Report found detectable concentrations of one organophosphate alone, malathion, in 28 percent of frozen blueberries, 25 percent of strawberries, and 19 percent of sampled celery.

Many other studies have also linked pregnant women's exposure to pesticides and a higher risk of ADHD and leukemia in their children.

Researchers suggested everyone especially pregnant women and families with kids to use organic food and agricultural products