New Study Suggests A Possible Connection Between ADHD And Pesticides
May 17, 2010 
7 Comments
For a long time now, there has been great concern, speculation, and rumor that ADHD might be caused (or at the very least contributed to) by certain pesticides used to grow and manufacture our foods.
While the medical community has so far said “no,” today we hear otherwise from a newly published study in the Journal of Pediatrics.
According to the study, one common pesticide (organophosphate) used to grow fruits and vegetables suggests there is reason to be concerned. Of over 1,000 participants involved, 119 had symptoms of ADHD. Researchers analyzed single urine samples and found that children with the highest concentrations of the pesticide were more likely to have ADHD.
Researchers and experts caution that more research must be conducted, but also suggests that we need to look at these findings very seriously.
What you can do
Lead author of the study, Maryse Bouchard, states that we should limit our exposure to the chemical by eating only organic produce. She also added that frozen blueberries, strawberries, and celery had more pesticide residue that other foods.
According to one Today Show expert contributor, we should also avoid eating foods that are out of season.
You can read the full article here:
ABC News
Yahoo News
Today Show
Hi Dr. Stern:
I heard this on the news also and it peaked my interest although i think i was on my way out the door and didn’t hear the complete story.
Reading this article here first of all i see no references to when/date and how long has or have the study’s been done. Not that i do not believe this could be true or to some degree true, but i would like to know a LOT MORE info to understand how and why it affects someone to become ADHD from these study’s to be more informed and to make my own informed decision whether or not i believe this to be true in order to start now for myself to do better.
Another thought that came to mind is that when was growing up i ate mostly garden fresh fruits and veggies as we had a HUGE garden back then…i know cause i had to pick weeds and pick the fruit and veggies (although my brother claims i got out of doing it, he said i took VERY LONG washroom breaks and said i didnt’ come back sometimes…hmm i do not remember that!!!LOL). So back to my point, i grew up eating fresh food from the age of 9 until i was at least 19 before i left home. Up until age 9 i lived in the city, and i am not sure about pesticide use back then, that would have to investigated. So if this is true about pesticides….why do i feel i have ADD and am getting an assessment done, as i see a lot of symptoms for ADD……one of them for sure is i have a very difficult time sitting still, ANYWHERE, among other symptoms of ADD!
To start now only eating organic, is this going to help enough to see a difference in my symptoms and if not right away will if ever be of true benefit to start eating just organic…..can’t see how i can afford on my limited income, however, that remains to be a question to ponder down the road, i guess!
thank you Judie Witt
This is a very interesting article. I am wondering if the children with the higher levels in their urine are already taking medication for ADHD? I am wondering if the medication itself alters the way they metabolize the pesticides? At the time of the study were these kids already diagnosed? It is sure something to be aware of and they are right there needs to be more research to prove a definite link but one that is well worth the work!
If pesticides were the problem then EVERYONE would have the disorder they are claiming except for those who eat only organic…hmmmm
ADHD is not just out of control individuals. Our thought process is different and unique and understood by others with this frustrating invisible disorder. The diagnoses consists of certain symptoms present before the age of 7. Then gets worse if not diagnosed until adulthood. Wondering what is wrong with me all my life. Wondering what’s the difference between being unique and being different and treated like I’m stupid, lazy and crazy. It is frustrating to hear about studies blaming this legitimate disorder on things that weren’t around when I was young. My younger sister is Bi-Polar…what are they saying she could be exposed to get that? Disorders are genetic and looking back we had a lot of strange relatives, including 3 from the Mayflower and 19 from the Revolutionary War. Trying my best to act “normal“, will never happen since I have severe ADHD, Cyclothymia, L.D‘s, and Alexthymia…my mother “wished one of me on me”…she got her wish…A Physical Therapist told me I would be perfect for Seinfeld Show just the way I was. The show about nothing…
This makes me afraid to eat anything anymore! Lately it seems as if something about food is always coming out. I do believe that food has a big part in ADHD. I will be buying organic from now on.
Where we live we are surrounded by farm land. All 4 sides of house. Not only does the farmers do the pesticides, there’s herbicides and also fertizers.We have a well and we buy bottle water and also use a filter because if it goes on the ground it goes in the water. My ADHD(yes he’s on meds)son energy leave goes sky high this time now I’m wondering if it because it the stuff that in the air or if just because school out and days are longer.
Another thing I’ve notices is when he eats alot of chicken mcnuggets from Mcdonald he’s all over the place. So I’m wondering if there one of the many preservatives he has a reaction too.
correlation is not causation. the news articles, and the study itself do nothing more than point the finger at one thing that MIGHT cause adhd. there is no proof, and the study itself did not use proper diagnostics. (from the dvm-whatever the number is) i am aware that pesticides are not a good thing, and i try to buy organic when i can afford it, but i dont think this is the answer. the cause of adhd is, much like the disorder itself, multi-layered and unique to the individual.
absolutely i think more studies need to be done, but i dont think we will ever be able to say “this” causes “that” and it will be universal to everyone affected.
as to people’s diets, eat what remembers its food. mcnuggets are not food. (sorry, and yes i do occasionally fed them to my kids) eat organic when you can, and dont sweat it.
Hi Rory:
Maybe I’m being picky here but I don’t believe pesticides “cause adhd.” I believe pesticides and all kinds of other things (food allergies, lack of vitamin D, etc.) can cause adhd-like symptoms.
And I think such reporting in journals as prestigious as the Journal of Pediatrics is misleading.
If I have a low tolerance for something that has organophosphate on it, have adhd-like symptoms but don’t have the symptoms when I stop eating that food, that’s good news. But it doesn’t mean I “cured” ADHD. “True” ADHD as defined by neuroscience research and being done by
psychiatrists and often with brain scans versus the DSMIV questions is a much more precise diagnosis.
Bottom line, I’m arguing here that we stop confusing ADHD with ADHD-like symptoms. And stop using pesticides that cause ADHD-like symptoms.
Thanks for your good work.
MaryJo