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Pesticides exposure a risk to stillbirth rates
Women exposed to pesticides in the months prior to conception and the early months of pregnancy may have a higher risk of stillbirth a new study finds.
Researchers examined data of more than one million births over a 14 year period during which more than 2000 stillbirths were recorded. Stillbirth rates of women who lived 500m away from locations where three major groups of pesticides had been used during periods of pre-conception were identified as more at risk of stillbirth. Rates were analysed to draw comparisons with women in other locations with fewer pesticide exposures and lower stillbirth rates. During the first trimester, the range of pesticides associated with stillbirth was fewer, but remained significant.
The study analysed associations between US pesticide spraying records, proximity to locations, and stillbirth rates. Researchers drew the overall conclusion that exposure to pesticides may be associated with stillbirth rates.
Health risks of pesticides
Pesticides is often used an umbrella term for a wide range of chemical substances that are sprayed in agriculture to control pests and weeds. The latter group, herbicides is dominated by the use of glyphosate, developed in the 1950’s to improve crop yields. Both groups of chemical substances have been linked to health concerns.
Pesticides have been linked to changes in obesity rates and diabetes. Earlier studies have identified associations between pesticide exposure and neurological development of infants, especially organophosphate exposures.
Pesticides and herbicides are widely classed by scientists to be endocrine disrupting chemicals due to their ability to interfere with the healthy functions of the endocrine system. They can accumulate in soil, food, and water so they are considered a broad risk to human health, especially in critical phases of development such as pregnancy and early childhood development.
Glyphosate has been detected in human blood and urine samples. Exposure to glyphosate, a widely used herbicide has been associated with poorer sperm health in men. Glyphosate has been detected in 99% of urine samples of 187 pregnant women tested during their first trimester in a study based in Indiana, US. High levels of glyphosate were also subsequently associated with lower birth weights.
Can you reduce your exposure to pesticides and herbicides?
If you are concerned about exposure to pesticides and herbicides, following an organic diet is the most reliable way to start reducing your exposure to them.
- Avoid foods that appear on the PAN UK Dirty Dozen list that are known to have the highest levels of pesticides.
- Switch the foods that you eat most regularly that appear on the list to their organic alternative.
- Most food retailers offer a good range of organic foods and ingredients to make it more accessible to everyone, and there are plenty of online organic food specialists.
- The BOOM Awards feature the winners of Best of Organic Food Market, and include everything from chocolate, cheese, to store cupboard staples.
- Avoid proximity to agricultural fields during spraying and harvesting when pesticides and herbicides are being used.
- Avoid golf courses when pesticides and herbicides are being sprayed, especially onto greens.
- If you have a garden, consider going chemical free.
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