Synthetic Pesticides and the Brain

Despite recommendation from its own scientists, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has chosen to approve chlorpyrifos, a synthetic chemical used in pesticides across the United States that is linked to brain damage in children and sold under the name Losban by Dow Chemical.

In November, the EPA released a report that concluded that, as it is currently used, chlorpyrifos contaminates water and is a dietary risk due to its above normal safety standard residues on food crops. Additionally, the pesticide poses a risk to farm workers that come into direct contact with it every day. However, according to scientists, this synthetic chemical is correlated with lower IQ, attention deficit disorders, and developmental delays, like the loss of working memory, delayed motor development and decreased cognitive functioning. It has even been linked to autism, increasing in risk when mothers are exposed during pregnancy.

How can we avoid this scary chemical that is poisoning our children? Very difficult – it is currently being used on the majority of crops: corn, strawberries wheat, citrus, apples, and many others! Even though the chemical was banned for residential use in 2000, it has continued to prevail as a major insecticide used on golf courses, turf, and in greenhouses.

Since chlorpyrifos was on track to being banned – the EPA reversed the move just before the federal court deadline to make the final decision – the agency cannot revisit the health risks of this health-damaging synthetic chemical until 2022. Dow Chemical has claimed that there is not enough science corroborating the claims made by the EPA, however other scientists have compared chlorpyrifos with the health risks associated with lead.

Instead of continuing to use a proven health-damaging chemical to produce our fruits and vegetables, there are a multitude of other, safer and natural alternatives. One solutions is to use sustainable, neem-based biopesticides and fertilizers. Neem is cost-effective and is non-toxic to pollinators, animals, humans, and the environment, meaning you and your loved ones can stay safe, while enjoying healthy, sustainably produced food! Demand change, demand safety for you, your loved ones, and farmers!