Mental Health/psychological

Household Pesticide Exposure Associated with the Risk of Developing Depression Symptoms  (Beyond Pesticides, June 18, 2020)     'This research highlights the significance of researching potential mental health effects resulting from pesticide exposure, especially as society tends to rank mental health risks second to physical health. The study’s scientists note, “Our results highlight the importance of the cautious use of household pesticides because the chronic effects of poisoning may contribute to an elevated risk of depression.”    However, stratified analysis ascertains that participants with light RPA (recreational physical activity/exercise) have a 50% greater risk of developing depressive symptoms upon household pesticide exposure. Upon investigating pesticide metabolites, researchers significantly associate the presence of o-phenyl phenol with a higher risk of depressive symptoms.    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression affects 322 million people globally, with the number of diagnosed patients increasing by 18.4% from 2005 to 2015. Although the etiology of depression—and many other psychiatric disorders—is often genetic, studies suggest that other etiological factors, like pesticide exposure, play a role in depression incidents.    Exposure to agricultural pesticides puts farmers at six times greater risk of exhibiting depressive symptoms, including chronic anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and sadness. Specifically, exposure to organochlorines and fumigants (gaseous pesticides) heighten an individual’s risk of depression by 90% and 80%, respectively.'

Herbicides Linked to Depression Among Farmers (Beyond Pesticides, August, 2, 2013)  Farmers using herbicides are nearly two and a half times as likely to be treated for depression as those who did not use herbicides.

Neuropsychological Functioning and Health-related Symptoms in a Commercial Pesticide Applicator During Low and High Exposure and Follow-up Testing. CrossleyM, Semchuk KM et al. Prairie Ecosystem Study.. Environmental Pesticide Exposure Human Health. Saskatoon. Fourth international symposium"rural health and safety in a changing world".October 18-22 1998, Chemicals Exposure, Toxicology and Human Health - presentation O 23.After exposure, SP performed below the expected range on tests of sensation, memory, and verbal fluency and reported relatively high levels of emotional and health – related symptoms.