On this page:
- Children's Exposure
- Farmworker Children
- Farmworker Exposure
- OPs and Reproductive Health
- In Utero Exposure
- Chronic Health Effects
- OP Exposure From Food
- OP Exposure in Urban Areas and to Pets
- Environmental Impacts of OP Use
Children’s Exposure
Developing youngsters are the most susceptible to OPs. Children can be exposed to OPs through the air, food, dust and soil, and even pets. Children of farmworkers and children in agricultural areas are exposed the most to OPs, although urban children are also at risk. “The average young American is exposed to more than five servings of food and water daily that contain pesticide residues” (Organic Center, “Success and Lost Opportunities to Reduce Children’s Exposure to Pesticides Since the 1990s” www.organic-center.org/science.pest.php).
Farmworker Children: Highly exposed and highly vulnerable
Farmworkers face the greatest exposure to OPs because of their work directly with pesticides or pesticide-treated crops. Farmworkers and their families face additional exposure from pesticides that are carried home on contaminated clothing or that drift into their homes from application on nearby fields. Because of their relatively high exposure and their developing bodies infants and children are more likely to experience pesticide-related health effects—sometimes permanent—than other groups.
Farmworkers Suffer the Highest Occupational and Home Exposures
Farmworkers are the major handlers of pesticides. Fields workers also come into frequent contact with both airborne pesticides and pesticide residues on crops and soil. As a result, farmworkers generally have high levels of OPs in their bodies. Farmworkers also usually live near the fields where they work and pesticides also contaminate their homes and vehicles.
OPs and Reproductive Health
As endocrine disrupters, organophosphates have a significant impact on the human reproductive system. These two articles document reduced levels of testosterone and other sex hormones associated with increased levels of organophosphate metabolites present in the body. Exposure to OPs may have an adverse effect on male fertility.
Studies of in Utero Exposure
Developing fetuses are very fragile. Studies have shown fetuses to be exposed to OPs while in the womb. Fetal exposure to OPs can cause decreased birth size, decreased head size, and decreased gestational age at birth. Brain and nervous system development can also be damaged.
Chronic Health Effects
A Center of Disease Control study showed that 94% of a representative sample of the U.S. population had OP metabolites in their body (Chemical Trespass: Pesticides in Our Bodies and Corporate Accountability). While OPs do cause short-term effects, such as vomiting and dizziness, they can also cause chronic (long-term) effects. Overexposure to OPs can effect brain and nervous system development and behavior. Growing evidence shows links between OP exposure and Parkinson’s disease and cancer.
OP Exposure from Food
OP pesticides are used largely to protect food crops from insect pests. People ingest OP residues from the food they eat. Children are especially likely to ingest OPs because they eat more fruits and vegetables for their body weight than most adults.
OP Exposure in Urban Areas and to Pets
OP pesticides are used in homes as an insecticide. People and pets can be exposed to OPs from fly strips for example. Pets can be exposed to OPs from lawns and then bring the pesticide into the home. Children and adults playing with a pet can be exposed to the pesticide too.
Environmental Impacts of OP Use
OP pesticides affect many more organisms then simply the ones they are intended to. The environmental impacts of widespread OP use is an area about which little is known. These two articles highlight the adverse effects of exposure to OPs on fish and amphibians.
