Babies Are Larger After Ban on 2 Pesticides, Study Finds | NYT

[Ediacara]

Babies Are Larger After Ban on 2 Pesticides, Study Finds
By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA

Published: March 22, 2004

Pregnant women in upper Manhattan who were heavily exposed to two common insecticides had smaller babies than their neighbors, but recent restrictions on the two substances quickly lowered exposure and increased babies' size, according to a study being published today.

The researchers, led by a team from Columbia University, looked at babies born to women living in Harlem and Washington Heights, and divided them into four groups, based on the amounts of the pesticides chlorpyrifos and diazinon found in the mothers' blood and umbilical-cord blood. In the group with the highest levels, babies were, on average, 6.6 ounces lighter and one-third of an inch shorter than those in the group with no measurable amount of the insecticides in the blood.

The authors write that theirs is the first reported study to show a link between umbilical-cord levels of these two pesticides and newborn size. The researchers added that it was also the first to document an improvement in birth size from curtailing use of a pesticide.

More at the New York Times

[KT2000]

1. Environment=Public Health

this is a perfect example of how "environment" has everything to do with the health of our population. Other research has shown interruption of mental development in children born to mothers exposed to chlorpyrifos.

Politically, the Repugs would have us believe that environment is just the infliction of unnecessary rules on important corporations.
But in fact environment determines the quality of life and health for all of us.

General Clark was one of the few candidates to make the connection. We have to insist that all politicians see the connection - Democrats and Repugs.

Meanwhile I am going to ask the owners of DU again if they will have a category the unites Environment and Health. Won't you join me?

[mobuto]

3. Agreed

I think the environmental movement has not done well by allowing itself to be linked to parks and endangered species and the like. Look, I strongly support parkland and protected open spaces, I think the endangered species act is great and needs to be expanded, but these are really not core issues. Real environmental problems affect a hell of a lot more than potential tourist destinations. Public health problems and the real economic damage they create, the real economic damage created by climate change as well will echo a lot louder in most Americans' ears.

[Lisa]

2. thanks for posting ...

I forwarded this to a colleague who teaches medical geography in Ontario (specializing in low birth weight and other childhood health issues). He will be mentioning it in his class this week -- said to pass along his regards to you!