Pesticides and ADHD

So it has now been shown to be true. Something so many parents talked about, and the studies are confirming it.

Exposure to pesticides could raise the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in kids. This latest report, published in the June, 2010, issue of Pediatrics, puts forward the conclusion that the commercial use of organophosphates could be related to rising rates of ADHD. 

Investigators used data on pesticide exposure and ADHD for over 1,100 kids between the ages of 8 and 15. Kids who had higher pesticide levels in their urine were more likely to have ADHD. Furthermore, the higher the levels of these chemicals, the higher the risk. 

They also noted that prior studies have already shown a link between exposure to organophosphates and developmental problems. Those studies saw links to ADHD among babies who were exposed to pesticides in the womb as well as after they were born.

Want to learn more? Dr Sandy Newmark, M.D., member of the faculty at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, has just published 'ADHD Without Drugs', all about the causes of the rising rate of this disorder in kids. H makes the point that  in the past 40 years, from the moment of conception, exposure to environmental toxins has increased dramatically.  he also says that a number of studies have implicated industrial pollutants as a factor in the rising rates of ADHD as well as learning disabilities.  highly recommend Dr. Newmark's book to any parent dealing with this diagnosis.

Of course we hear many stories here.. none less harrowing than the problems parents are having with kids growing up in the Darling Downs area where aerial spraying is the norm. Their roof becomes a giant catchall for overspray, all of which ends up in their onsite water tanks.

We recommend the highest form of water purification for people like this, which in our product line is the AlkaPure, which effectively removes all pesticides, yet still delivers alkaline minerals to our drinking water.

See the abstract of the report here

Lead from Plastic Water Pipes: is Anyone safe?

As we all know, when plastic plumbing pipes came in, the main reason was the expectation of a reduction in heavy metal contamination, caused by acidic water in copper pipes with brass and lead brazing. There are still many older homes with copper and lead pipes, -and in cities with acidic water, such as Melbourne and most places in Tasmania, this means a toxic heavy metal brew in the first glass of water each morning.

Now we hear that the plastic pipes are creating lead contamination! How could this be? It seems impossible, but it's just another example of 'progress' hurtling ahead and changing all previous 'status quo' assumptions.

And just to add fuel to the fire, another report from Ireland says that the government is telling our Irish friends that there is no need to filter their water. I wonder if the Irish authorities have talked to the Professor who authored the above report? I guess not.

Here's the report.