Children 2

also see children, cardiovascular, Body burdens, nervous system effects/attention deficit, brain damage, health/immune Organophosphates. insecticides, wildlife section/mammals. industry shenanigans/interference with research,  pesticide fact sheet: chlorpyrifos, fungicides and PFAS

Pesticide Effects on Enzymes, Oxidative Stress, and Cell Damage in Newborns and Mothers, Study Finds  (Beyond Pesticides, July 28, 2026) In a study published in Science of The Total Environment, researchers at the Federal University of Paraná in Brazil link pesticide exposure during pregnancy, particularly involving organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, with oxidative stress, which causes cell damage, and adverse health effects in both mothers and their newborns.      In analyzing enzyme activity and biomarkers in samples of maternal peripheral (circulating) blood and umbilical cord blood from mother and newborn pairs, the data shows altered levels in both.      “The findings suggest relevant biochemical alterations in the maternal–newborn dyad, involving cholinesterase inhibition and oxidative imbalance,” the authors state. Notably, the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is inhibited in 96% of umbilical cord blood samples and the oxidative stress biomarker 8-OHGua is elevated in both mothers and newborns, indicating oxidative DNA damage. While many studies report associations between environmental pesticide exposure during pregnancy and alterations in fetal development, there are still many data gaps regarding indirect biomarkers of chronic pesticide exposure in pregnant women and newborns that this study addresses. #pesticide #exposure #oxidativestress #enzymes #maternal #newborn #health #dailynews

Documented Contamination of Pesticides in Infant Formula Poses Short-Term and Long-Term Health Risks   (Beyond Pesticides, July 7, 2026)

Fraud scandal in EU pesticide approval system has kept neurotoxic pesticide on the market for years Pan europe (pane), 2 July 2026      'The fungicide fluazinam can harm brain development, but this evidence was effectively hidden from regulators for more than a decade- new research from scientists at Stockholm University has revealed.    It is not the first case of regulatory fraud involving pesticides. It should lead to immediate withdrawal of fluazinam pesticide products from the market, legal sanctions for those responsible, and a comprehensive review of how regulatory studies are conducted, reported and assessed.'  A developmental neurotoxicity study conducted in 2003–2004 by the industry-contracted laboratory Huntingdon Life Sciences found major adverse effects on brain development in offspring exposed to the pesticide before birth. Yet the study was never submitted by the manufacturer (ISK Biosciences Europe), who had commissioned it, during fluazinam's 2009 EU renewal process.    When the study was re-examined, researchers identified multiple instances of false reporting and incorrect statistics that masked harmful effects on brain development.   We need 'better pesticide reviews instead of weakening the regulations.'   'Fluazinam is also a PFAS pesticide and emitter of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)- a common breakdown product of PFAS pesticides, which is widely detected in drinking water, groundwater and plant-based food. TFA will soon be classified as ‘toxic to reproduction’ category 1B 2, which means all PFAS pesticides must be banned. Another reason for fluazinam to be taken immediately off the market.' Llink to study in the article..  SNAP Comment: There are 15 pesticide formulations containing Fluazinam currently registered in Canada. 

Renowned Intl Ecologist to Speak at Forum Today, Study Released on Bats, Beavers, and Biodiversity   (Beyond Pesticides, October 29, 2025)      To determine the impacts on human health from these population declines, Dr. Frank collected data from counties experiencing WNS (white-nose syndrome) regarding insecticide use and infant mortality from 2006-2017. In comparing these numbers, “after the onset of bat die-offs, farmers in the county increase their insecticide use by 31.1%, on average,” he states. “Infant mortality rates due to internal causes of death (i.e., not due to accidents or homicides) increased by 7.9%, on average, in the affected counties. This result highlights that real-world use levels of insecticides have a detrimental impact on health, even when used within regulatory limits.” These rates correspond to an additional 1,334 infant deaths, which shows that for every 1% increase in pesticides, there is a 0.25% increase in the infant mortality rate.

Childhood, Prenatal Pesticide Exposure Impacts Immune System, According to Study      (Beyond Pesticides, October 24, 2025) A literature review published in Science of the Total Environment reports numerous peer-reviewed studies associating prenatal and childhood ( Up to 5 y.o) pesticide exposure to measurable alterations to children’s immune systems, including indicators of immunosuppression and increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines, among other adverse health effects. These immune system alterations are linked to higher infection risk and potentially contribute to autoimmune diseases and allergies later in life.        They continue: “Pro-inflammatory cytokine production was significantly increased (effect size: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.28; p < 0.001).” In short, the overall effect is significant across the selected studies. Separately, organochlorines were associated with decreased lymphocyte counts, while a metabolite of DDT (p,p’-DDE) “was associated with increased lymphocyte white blood cell counts.” Additionally, exposures to a mixture of pesticides “showed elevated immunoglobulin responses.”

Scientists find hidden brain damage from a common pesticide (Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, November 7, 2025)    A new investigation has identified a connection between prenatal exposure to the commonly used insecticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) and measurable differences in brain structure, along with reduced motor skills, among children and adolescents in New York City.    For this study group, indoor pesticide use was the main source of exposure.   'Each child had detectable levels of CPF in their umbilical cord blood at birth and underwent brain imaging and behavioral assessments between the ages of 6 and 14.   Results showed a clear pattern: children with higher prenatal exposure to the insecticide displayed more pronounced structural and functional brain differences. They also performed worse on tests measuring motor speed and coordination. The evidence suggests that CPF exposure before birth disrupts brain structure, function, and metabolism in direct proportion to the level of exposure.

SNAP Comment: while Chlorpyrifos is now finally banned in Canada, the PMRA had 297 chlorpyrifos-containng insecticides registered including 172 consumer products for indoor, lawn and garden use.. As of 16 January 2017, there are still 29 chlorpyrifos products registered for use in Canada. 'lthough the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned chlorpyrifos for household use in 2001, it remains in use in (US) agriculture for non-organic produce and grains. This continued use means farm workers and nearby communities can still be exposed through contaminated air and dust', and it likely comes in on imported produce.

Researchers find infant deaths increased after farmers used more pesticides to compensate for rise of pests    Researchers find infant deaths increased after farmers used more pesticides to compensate for rise of pests  (by Emily Chung, Benjamin Shingler, CBC News, Sep 05, 2024)       Because bats play a crucial role in eating up and controlling insect pests, 'Eyal Frank, an environmental economist at the University of Chicago, decided to look at what happened when white-nose syndrome spread into new counties in the eastern U.S., decimating bat populations.    He found that farmers responded to the resulting insect outbreaks by increasing their pesticide use 31 per cent. Pesticides are toxic, and often associated with human health impacts such as increases in infant deaths.    Frank found that infant mortality went up eight per cent after the arrival of white-nose syndrome in a county, according to his study published today in the journal Science.     Frank also found evidence that not only were the pesticides expensive, but they weren't as good as the bats at controlling insects — farmers' revenue from crop sales fell 29 per cent in areas hit by the bat pandemic.      He estimates that in total, farmers in communities with bat die-offs lost $26.9 billion between 2006 and 2017. Putting a number to damages from infant mortality resulted in a societal cost of $39.6 billion from the loss of bats.'

Prenatal Exposure to Organophosphate Pesticides Have Links to Behavior     (Beyond Pesticides, July 6, 2023) A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives finds concentrations of organophosphate (OP) metabolites in urine during the prenatal phase have links to adolescent/young adult externalizing (e.g., hyperactivity, aggression, attention problems) and internalizing (e.g., depression) behavior problems. Thus, prenatal exposure to OP pesticides can permanently affect behavioral health as children mature into adulthood. 

Residential Areas and Early Postnatal Complications for Pregnant Women Tied to Banned and Current Pesticides    (Beyond Pesticides, May 31, 2023) A study published in Chemosphere supports accumulating scientific research confirming that prohibited and current use pesticides are readily detectable in the human placenta. All pregnant women experience exposure to a mixture of complex pesticides like DDT (prohibited organochlorine pesticide OCP) and chlorpyrifos (current use organophosphate OP), with concentrations high enough to increase possible adverse health risks to the fetus through a placental transfer of chemicals.Prenatal development in the intrauterine environment is one of the most vulnerable periods of exposure, as the fetus is most susceptible to the harmful effects of chemical contaminants.    tudy done in chemical-intensive fruit production area in Patagonia, Argentina. ...the researchers find a concentration of 23 pesticides: trifluralin (herbicide), chlorothalonil and HCB (fungicides), chlorpyrifos (insecticide), and organochlorines like HCHs, endosulfans, DDTs, chlordane, heptachlor, drins, and metoxichlor. Among urban and rural residential settings, rural groups of pregnant women have significantly higher levels of chlorpyrifos. However, DDT and chlorpyrifos are the major constituents of placentas regardless of urban or rural residency.      SNAP Comment: There are still 21 chlorpyrifos, 27 (from 46 historically) trifluralin, 25 (from 68 historically) chlorothalonil commercial formulations registered in Canada at this time. DDT, chlordane, heptachlor, aldrin and many other organochlorine were also historically registered.

Father’s Exposure to Toxic Chemicals in the Workplace Increases Risk of Heart Disease in Infants    (Beyond Pesticides, February 23, 2023) A father’s exposure to occupational (work-related) chemicals, including pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, formaldehyde studied), around the time of his partner’s pregnancy, has an association with a higher risk of infant congenital heart defects (CHDs), according to a Japanese study published in Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine. The prevalence of infant CHDs is one of the most common genetic (congenital) diseases worldwide.