One out of Three People Exposed to Potentially Harmful Pesticide

 

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/942613

 

 News Release 9-Feb-2022
New study suggests children at high risk of exposure to a popular weed killer
Peer-Reviewed Publication
George Washington University

 

One out of three people in a large survey showed signs of exposure to a pesticide called 2,4-D, according to a study published today by researchers at the George Washington University. This novel research found that human exposure to this chemical has been rising as agricultural use of the chemical has increased, a finding that raises worries about possible health implications.

“Our study suggests human exposures to 2,4-D have gone up significantly and they are predicted to rise even more in the future,” Marlaina Freisthler, a PhD student and researcher at the George Washington University, said. “These findings raise concerns with regard to whether this heavily used weed-killer might cause health problems, especially for young children who are very sensitive to chemical exposures.”

 -----

 Other key findings of the new study:

    As the use of the herbicide increased during the study period so did human exposures.
    Children ages 6-11 had more than double the risk of increasing exposure to 2,4-D.
    In addition, women of childbearing age had nearly twice the risk of increased exposure compared to men in the same age group.
    Human exposures are likely to rise even more in the near future as this herbicide’s use continues to go up.

-----

Exposure to high levels of this chemical has been linked to cancer, reproductive problems, and other health issues. While scientists don’t know what the impact of exposure to lower levels of the herbicide might be, they do know that 2,4-D is an endocrine disruptor and this study shows children and women of childbearing age are at higher risk of exposure.

Children can be exposed if they play barefoot on a lawn treated with the weed-killer or if they put their hands in their mouths after playing outside, where the soil or grass might be contaminated with the chemical. People also can be exposed by eating soybean-based foods and through inhalation. The now widespread use of 2,4-D on GMO soybeans and cotton leads to more 2,4-D moving in the air, which can expose more people to this chemical, according to the researchers.

-----

Consumers who want to avoid exposures to pesticide can purchase organically grown food, which is less likely to be grown with weed killers. They can also avoid using 2,4-D or other pesticides on their lawn or garden, the researchers said.