Pesticides and ADHD

Even small amounts of pesticide exposure may causeorganophosphates and that even frozen strawberries
ADHD. The June 2010 edition of Pediatrics looked atand blueberries have been found to have dangerous
over 1000 kids and found that the levels oflevels of pesticides. Washing the fruit does nothing to
organophosphates in urine correlated directly withget rid of the pesticides as they penetrate the skin
ADD, ADHD and with hyperactivity and inattention.and reside in the part of the fruit that we eat. Even
The sad news is that neurologist have known thatthick skin fruit like oranges contain pesticides.
pesticides are harmful to cognitive function for a longThe best way to avoid exposure is to eat organic
time. They have seen children exposed to pesticidesfruits and vegetables or to avoid the above fruits
on farms suffer cognitively as a result ofand vegetables altogether. Most of us cannot afford
organophosphate exposure and have warned againstall organic fruits and vegetables so I have a list of
having young children close to fields during fumigation.the fruits and vegetables with the least level of
What they did not know is that even very smallpesticides. They include: onions, avacado, frozen corn,
levels of exposure are harmful. The Environmentalpineapples, mango, asparagus, frozen peas, kiwi,
Protection Agency (EPA) limits how much residualbananas, watermelon, cabbage, broccoli, and papaya.
pesticide can be left on food but this allowedYou can eliminate 80% or your exposure by avoiding
amount, as it turns out, is harmful. In a way this isthe foods on the high pesticide list and choosing the
very similar to the lead story. The EPA set limits onlow pesticide food instead. Pet products can also
the lead exposure that was considered 'safe' and butcontain toxic pesticides so avoid pet shampoo, flea
the allowed exposure level can actually cause ADDcollars and other flea medicines with
problems and ADHD.organophosphates and avoid using toxic pesticides in
Studies on what foods contain the most residualthe home and garden.
pesticides have found that the Peaches, Apples,My garden is growing tomatoes, green beans, sweet
Sweet Bell Peppers, Celery, Nectarines, Strawberries,peppers, eggplant, squash, and pumpkins. I wish I had
raspberries, Cherries, Pears, Grapes (Imported),an apple and a peach tree.
Spinach, Lettuce, and potatoes contain the most