Pesticides And Reproductive Harm
Many chemical pesticides
have been linked to reproductive and developmental harm. Unfortunately, use
of these pesticides in California schools is widespread. In a 2002 survey, 87
percent of surveyed school districts planned to use pesticides identified by
the State of California as reproductive or developmental toxicants.1
Exposure to pesticides
may lead to:
Birth defects and deformities:
• Pesticides can lead to growth retardation of the fetus, lower birth weight
and smaller size infants
• Children exposed to pesticides through their mother may experience circulatory,
respiratory, genital, urinary and musculoskeletal abnormalities
• Research links pesticides with increasing rates of cryptochidism, a deformity
of the testicles, and hypospadias, a birth defect resulting in a deformation
of the penis. Its occurrence in the U.S. has more than doubled since 1970.2
• Beyond serious health problems experienced by children, birth defects
also place tremendous emotional, social, and financial burdens on parents and
communities.3
Female and male infertility/sterility:
• Males who have more exposure to pesticides have increased percentage
of physically deformed sperm and decreased sperm density, while females have
experienced menstrual abnormalities
• Studies have shown that men exposed to pesticides had significantly lower
fertility compared to unexposed males.4
Interference with hormonal
function:
• Some pesticides block androgens and the thyroid hormone
• Some pesticides mimic estrogen, a key hormone that helps to regulate
the reproductive system and controls sexual development, and are very likely
to be the cause of the early onset of puberty. Scientists have found that over
three-quarters of the children who experienced early puberty had high levels
of DDT in their blood.
• Pesticides can lead to an increased susceptibility to hormone-sensitive
cancers such as breast cancer.5
Developmental effects
in fetuses and children:
• Pesticides can have permanent effects on sexual differentiation and organ
formation that occurs in utero by altering or inhibiting essential hormones
during pregnancy.
• Children whose mothers were exposed to pesticides may exhibit short-term
memory and behavioral problems.
• Children exposed to pesticides present in their mother’s blood and
breast milk reveal persistent, measurable intellectual impairment, which can
not be overcome by environment or education.6
Sources
1. McKendry, C., Learning
Curve: Charting Progress on Pesticide Use and the Healthy Schools Act, Californians
for Pesticide Reform 2002.
2. Garcia-Rodriguez, J., M. Garcia-Martin, M. Nogueras-Ocana, et al. (1996).
"Exposure to pesticides and cryptochidism: Geographical evidence of a possible
association." Environmental Health Perspectives 104: 1090-95.
3. Kristensen, P. L.M. Irgens, A. Anderson, et al. (1997). "Birth defects
amond offspring of Norwegian farmers, 1967-1991." Epidemiology 8 5:537-44.
4. Pesticide Action Network North America, http://www.panna.org/resources/panups/panup_20020802.dv.html
5.
Global Pesticide Campaigner (Volume 11, Number 3), December 2001
6. Solomon, Gina, O.A. Ogunseitan, Jan Kirsch. 2000 "Pesticides and
Human Health: A Resource for Health Care Professionals," Physicians for
Social Responsibility and Californians for Pesticide Reform.
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