Pesticide Home Use Linked To Childhood Cancer, Low IQ

Homes that make use of pesticides are likely to have exposed their children to increase risks of leukemia and lymphoma, according to a new study published in the Pediatrics journal.

Experts analyzed data from at least 16 other researchers and compared the levels of exposure of pesticides among the children test-subjects and found that in households where insecticides are used indoors, 47 percent of the kids were likely to develop leukemia, while 43 percent were likely to develop lymphoma, according to CNN.

The researchers also discovered that weed killers, which are used outdoors and in the garden, increase the risk of leukemia, but its links are weaker, according to CBS News.

"Childhood cancers are increasing year by year in this country, (and) there is disagreement about what is contributing to that, but pesticides have always been on the radar," said Chensheng Lu from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health who led the research.

In the United States, childhood cancer occurs in about one percent of the kids' population, according to the American Cancer Society. Yet the organization also said that the rate has been increasing in recent years.

"We don't know 'how much' exposure it takes, or if there's a critical window in development," said Lu. But he pointed out that their research does confirm how harmful pesticides are to children's health.

The experts suggest kids' exposure to these pesticides, which are often used to kill cockroaches, flies, ants, termites or rates, must be limited.  Broadcast application, can spraying, or fogger will lead to significant exposures to people who live in the household, schools, etc.," the report stated, according to Healthline. "Some insecticides, such as organophosphates, have been either banned or restricted ... due to the known toxicological effects in humans, especially in children."

"Make your homes pest-proof so you do not need to use pesticides at all," Lu advised. "Talk to schools about using non-pesticide treatment for pest controls."

Meanwhile, pesticide use at home is also linked to other health problems, including lowered IQ and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to Fox News.

"Pesticides play a role in acute and chronic health problems depending on the level of exposure. If you can measure residue in this kid's brain, then she was probably exposed to a very significant level of pesticide," Lu said.

Recently, a 10-year-old boy from Florida suffered brain damage due to a fumigation done at his house, as reported on CNN. An investigation to his case is currently being undertaken, but there are reports that, Peyton McCaughey's condition has been improving since the incident, according to WPTV.