High levels of pesticides that are in common use for fruits and vegetables may increase the ranks of children with ADHD. In a study, the urine of over 1,000 children ages eight to fifteen years, was analyzed. In 94 percent of cases, there were detectable levels of pesticides in their urine.
Six pesticide compounds were analyzed in the study. Almost a quarter of the children with ADHD were found to have the most commonly detected compound of the pesticides in their urine.
Virginia Rauh of Columbia University did not participate in this study, but she has done other research involving pesticides. "Because of known dangers of pesticides in humans, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency limits how much residue can stay on food. But the new study shows it's possible even tiny, allowable amounts of pesticide may affect brain chemistry, Rauh said."
A study from 2008 indicated that children who ate organic fruits and vegetables had negligible levels of pesticides in their urine.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-05-17-pesticides-adhd_N.htm?csp=34&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomHealth-TopStories+%28News+-+Health+-+Top+Stories%29