A push to restrict agricultural pesticides appears to be stalling, and a draft of a report obtained by ABC News does not signal any intention to eliminate them. This comes as a separate landmark study links negative effects of certain pesticides on children's brains. Pesticides are ubiquitous in our food supply. Numerous studies over the years have shown the detrimental effects of various chemicals on neuro development, but this is the first study to follow a large sample of children from pregnancy and get precise brain measurements. For the first time, researchers can tell you exactly how pesticides can cause harm in the offspring of exposed pregnant women. CHLA and Columbia University researchers said pesticides trigger inflammation and oxidative stress, which harms neurons and slows down how energy flows through the brain. "So that would be evident in things like penmanship, and spelling, and motor speed, performance," said [study author Dr. Bradley] Peterson. Researchers studied 270 children from birth up to 14 years old. Their mothers had been exposed to pesticides from having their homes fumigated and from using commercial sprays, but researchers say these moms were also exposed to chemicals in the produce and grains they ate. Peterson ... recommends more eco-friendly ways to eliminate pests and eating organic produce and grains when possible. "If you're able to afford it and can find it, we would recommend that," he said.
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