Pesticides commonly found on berries and other fruits may
contribute to ADHD A new study in Pediatrics has made a
connection between exposure to organophosphates – pesticides
used on berries and other fruit and vegetable crops – and
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.1
Organophosphates kill agricultural pests by acting as
neurotoxins in insects. Excessive exposure to organophosphates
in humans are now known to have toxic effects. Children are
thought to be most vulnerable because the developing brain is
especially susceptible to neurotoxic substances. Organophosphate
exposure during fetal development and the first 2-3 years of
life has previously been linked to detrimental effects on
neurodevelopment in young children, including behavioral
problems and deficits in memory and motor skills.1,2 High levels
of organophosphate metabolites have also been found in children
with leukemia.3 Since dysfunctional acetylcholine signaling is
thought to be involved in ADHD, and organophosphates act