14
Jul
(Beyond Pesticides, July 14, 2026) âAround the world, children are born into a landscape where the doubling of pesticide use since 1990 has made these chemical substances ubiquitous in our soil and food,â said George Laryea-Adjei, PhD, UNICEF Global Program Division Director at the release of a new reportâUnderestimated and Overlooked: The Silent Impact of Pesticides on Childrenâpublished through an initiative of the United Nations Childrenâs Fund. He continued: âThis report reveals a reality that is as urgent as it is âsilentâ: the profound impact of pesticides on the health and rights of the worldâs most vulnerable citizens: children.â Many important truths in this report speak to the advocates, public health professionals, and concerned families across the globe who are researching, writing, teaching, and advocating for public health and environmental protection from toxic chemicals. This report identifies the failure of existing regulatory structures to ensure basic protections and cites scientific evidence, investigative reporting, and litigation, concluding that synthetic pesticides are inconsistent with sustainability and human health. Main Findings This report was coauthored by UNICEF staff and numerous stakeholder groups, including nonprofits, regulators, and academic institutions. The authors cite numerous data sources, including existing peer-reviewed science, World Health Organization (WHO) and […]
Posted in Biomonitoring, Birth defects, Cancer, Disease/Health Effects, Drift, Endocrine Disruption, Genotoxicity, Health care, International, Pesticide Drift, Respiratory Diseases, Respiratory Problems, Uncategorized, United Nations, World Health Organization | No Comments »
03
Mar
(Beyond Pesticides, March 3, 2026) Research published in Critical Reviews in Toxicology (CRT) and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) documents the genetic and epigenetic (changes to gene function without altering the DNA sequence) effects to pesticide-exposed groups through early-life exposure and from transgenerational inheritance (passed down through generations). These studies highlight the complex nature of mechanisms of toxicity, as well as the various pesticide exposure routes that begin even prior to conception. The analyses evaluate general and specific pesticide exposure as reported in observational and laboratory research. Through a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on âDNA damage, cytogenetic damage, DNA methylation, or gene expression outcomes associated with prenatal and early childhood pesticide exposure,â the CRT authors link genotoxic mechanisms and epigenetic alterations to adverse health outcomes while the PNAS study shows pesticide-induced epigenetic alterations in mammals across 20 generations that “suggest the maternal and paternal lineages can both induce and inherit epigenetic alterations that influence disease (e.g., kidney, testis, ovary, prostate) incidence, reproductive health (e.g., parturition, infertility), and overall fitness generationally.â As the CRT study states: âOne of the main ways pesticides can cause harm is through genotoxicityâtheir ability to damage genetic material. This damage can […]
Posted in behavioral and cognitive effects, Birth defects, Breast Cancer, Children, Chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, Disease/Health Effects, DNA Damage, Epigenetic Effects, Genotoxicity, Learning Disabilities, Malathion, men's health, Oxidative Stress, Reproductive Health, vinclozolin, Women's Health | No Comments »
