Recent studies in the United States and Canada show that the presence of pesticides in the food of children doubles the incidence of ADHD--Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder--and that many foods show detectable amounts of such insecticides as were linked to the findings.
Maryse F. Bouchard of the University of Montreal in Quebec states, "I think it's fairly significant. A doubling is a strong effect." The research is published in the journal Pediatrics. To see the abstract click here. She gave the following advice to parents: "I would say buy organic as much as possible. I would also recommend washing fruits and vegetables as much as possible."
For example, according to the National Academy of Sciences, in 2008 measurable concentrations of malathion were found in "28 percent of frozen blueberry samples, 25 percent of fresh strawberry samples and 19 percent of celery samples."
It should not be surprising that chemicals used to kill other life forms by attacking their central nervous systems might also have adverse effects on our own. Indeed, it would be surprising were it otherwise.
So, buy organic whenever you can, wash that produce, and support reasonable regulation and inspection of foodstuffs. In the European Union new chemicals intended for use on crops must first demonstrate they are safe. In the United States chemicals are presumed harmless unless proven otherwise. Which approach do you feel would better protect you and your family? Which would you rather see in place?
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