American Academy of Pediatrics on pesticides

Even low levels of exposure to common pesticides and herbicides may cause cancers and adversely affect childhood development, according to a November 26, 2012 policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Many of these "lawn-care" chemicals are already banned in Europe and elsewhere.

While "acute poisoning" has long been recognized as a serious health concern, the Academy now says:

Beyond acute poisoning, the influences of low-level exposures on child health are of increasing concern. (Emphasis ours.)

This finding corroborates those of other scientific studies we have cited in this blog, stating:

Epidemiologic evidence demonstrates associations between early life exposure to pesticides and pediatric cancers, decreased cognitive function, and behavioral problems.

and

The concerning and expanding evidence base of chronic health consequences of pesticide exposure underscores the importance of efforts aimed at decreasing exposure. 

 Where, according to the Academy does this exposure come from?

Children encounter pesticides daily in air, food, dust, and soil and on surfaces through home and public lawn or garden application, household insecticide use, application to pets, and agricultural product residues. (Emphasis ours.)

The herbicides of concern for the Academy include those found in the most commonly used residential products in the US, including those found in "Weed and Feed" products.

The mounting evidence about the dangers of the most commonly used lawn products, including this new report, highlight the concern of blowing these chemicals into our neighbor's yards, our kid's toys (hand-to-mouth intake), and across our neighborhoods.

The policy statement is published in Pediatrics 2012;130:e1757–e1763.