Industry studies reviewed by independent scientists show that exposure to neonicotinoids, the nation’s most common pesticide, causes similar effects on the developing brain as nicotine, including significant shrinkage of brain tissue and loss of neurons. indicates that it may have an impact on
A new review finds that exposure may be linked to long-term health effects including ADHD, slowed auditory reflexes, decreased motor skills, behavioral problems and delayed sexual maturation in men. .
Industry science will be used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set new regulations, but independent scientists have found that pesticide manufacturers are hiding information or not including necessary data. The agency says it found that there was no such thing, and claims the EPA drew industry-friendly conclusions from the study.
Neonicotinoid residues are common in agricultural products, and the EPA appears poised to set limits that are especially dangerous for developing children. Co-author of the paper, Nathan Donley from the Center for Biological Diversity, said the health threat was “alarming”.
“If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, the current levels of human exposure that the Environmental Protection Agency deems safe will not protect your future children and will make your blood boil. ,” Donley said. The Natural Resources Defense Council and Food & Water Watch also co-authored the paper.
The EPA said in a statement that it has not yet reviewed the new study, but the industry study “has been independently reviewed by EPA and incorporated into the latest human health risk assessment for these neonicotinoid pesticides.” said.
Neonicotinoids are controversial chemicals that, in addition to their use on lawns, are used in pesticides that have been sprayed on more than 500 acres of U.S. farmland to treat pests.
The insecticide works by disrupting the insect’s neural synapses, causing uncontrollable tremors, paralysis, and death, but more science has shown that the insecticide harms pollinators and reduces bee populations. It was found to drastically reduce and kill other insects not targeted by the chemical.
Neonicotinoids are similar in chemical structure to nicotine and affect the same human neurotransmitters involved in the development and ongoing health of the nervous system. Scientists long thought neonicotinoids only affected insects, but Donley says neonicotinoids break down into smaller compounds and their effects on the human brain are just as powerful as nicotine. said.
Recent studies have found that more than 95% of pregnant women have the chemical in their bodies, and that humans have alarming levels of the chemical in their blood and urine. Although agricultural workers face the highest exposures, the chemicals are water-soluble, easily leach into soil and rivers, and are commonly found in drinking water. Neonicotinoid residues are also regularly found in agricultural products.
The EPA is required by law to review the safety of pesticides every 15 years, and the industry studies reviewed by Donley’s team are part of that process.
The authors of this paper are concerned about low to moderate levels of exposure in water and food. Donley said the pesticide industry often did not submit data at these levels, even though the EPA required it.
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Still, Donley added, the EPA appears willing to issue new regulations without data, simply claiming that moderate to low levels of exposure are safe. However, available data indicates health risks, and research supporting industry claims is lacking.
“The strategy of the pesticide companies seems to be to ignore the EPA, and instead of receiving any results, the EPA just shrugs and rubber-stamps it,” Donley said.
In another example, EPA administrators dismissed one of their own scientists who raised concerns about neurotoxic effects and instead adopted a statistical analysis that argued that low doses had no neurotoxic effects. Donley said.
It is unclear why EPA has not requested more data. However, this is the latest in a long series of controversies surrounding the agrochemical sector, mainly stemming from its alleged ties to and financial dependence on pesticide manufacturers.
“It’s clear that industry is abusing the system, but no one is criticizing it,” Donley said.
