So glad my family has gardens!

And the fact I can get many wonderful things at the farmers market!

A new study came out and it has proven that a pesticide is linked to ADHD; known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.  The fact that they didn't study the children diet was the most convincing part.  They found the  pesticide byproduct in their urine! Out  of all the children tested;  they found 95 percent had at least one byproduct in their urine.  And many were diagnosed with ADHD. They are twice at risk for the condition with higher levels of the pesticide. The urine was collected by the CDC. 

These pesticides, known as organophosphates,have been tested before on farm workers.  They have been banned from termite extermination and lawn control by the EPA. 

Found on the CNN Health site the facts of the percent of the exposure: Quote:  28 percent of frozen blueberries, 20 percent of celery, and 25 percent of strawberries contained traces of one type of organophosphate. Other types of organophosphates were found in 27 percent of green beans, 17 percent of peaches, and 8 percent of broccoli. :Unquote. Scary!

Even more scary is when researching this blog I found that the USDA Agricultural Chemical Use Program was shut down in 1990 and they have testing the effects of pesticides for years and really when was anything going to be done to protect us consumers?  They were testing around 120 different kinds of fruits, vegetables and crops.

Read more at Suite101: Pesticide-Testing Program Killed by USDA: Industry and Universities Doing Research Protest Shutdown


These pesticides work  by attacking the nervous system of pests. SO it can have the same effect on mammals.  Our elderly, disabled and  children are more at risk to the effect because of the sensitive immune systems.

How do we reduce the exposure of the pesticide? First thing is to eat more organic and locally grow fruits and vegetables.  But I know that is sometimes hard to do! the cost is more expensive. The EPA suggests washing and peeling fruits and vegetables using a vegetable brush to clean hard skinned vegetables also helps remove the residue.