{"id":40545,"date":"2025-12-18T00:01:03","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T05:01:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/?p=40545"},"modified":"2025-12-17T10:59:48","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T15:59:48","slug":"elevated-levels-of-pesticides-known-nervous-system-poisons-during-pregnancy-tied-directly-to-diet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2025\/12\/elevated-levels-of-pesticides-known-nervous-system-poisons-during-pregnancy-tied-directly-to-diet\/","title":{"rendered":"Elevated Levels of Pesticides, Known Nervous System Poisons, During Pregnancy Tied Directly to Diet"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Beyond Pesticides<\/em>, December 18, 2025) A study in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health<\/em><\/a> finds peak concentrations of organophosphate pesticide (OP) metabolites<\/a> in the urine of pregnant mothers 6-12 hours after consuming contaminated fruits and vegetables. \u201cHigh detection rates were observed for dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP, 96%), dimethylphosphate (DMP, 94%), diethylphosphate (DEP, 89%), and diethylthiophosphate (DETP, 77%) among 431 urine samples taken from 25 pregnant women, over two 24-hr periods, early in pregnancy,\u201d the researchers report. The levels of metabolites within the urine correlate to the consumption of foods treated with organophosphate pesticides, highlighting the importance of adopting an organic diet<\/a>\u2014particularly for pregnant individuals and their children.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 2009\u20132010, 80 pregnant women were recruited from Ottawa, Canada for the Plastics and Personal-care Product use in Pregnancy (P4) Study,\u201d the authors say. \u201cA subset (n = 25) collected multiple spot urines (up to 10 each; total n = 431) over two 24-h periods in early pregnancy\u2014one weekday and weekend day\u2014while logging their food consumption beginning 24 h prior to the first urine void and continuing through the following 24-h urine collection period.\u201d This is the first study looking at the variability of organophosphate metabolites<\/a> within 24 hours in maternal urine, giving insight into \u201cthe primary sources of exposure and the temporal variability in a population of Canadian pregnant participants.\u201d<\/p>\n

Study Importance and Background<\/strong><\/p>\n

The organophosphate<\/a> pesticide metabolites analyzed in the study are the breakdown products of many different pesticides that have current or historical uses in both the U.S. and Canada, including malathion<\/a>, chlorpyrifos<\/a>, fenitrothion<\/a>, parathion<\/a>, diazinon<\/a>, dimethoate<\/a>, and others. As the researchers state: \u201cOP metabolism typically involves the production of three dialkyl phosphates (DAPs), which are excreted in urine. In 2010, the same year as the data for this study were collected, 586,288 kg of active pesticide ingredients in the dithiophosphates, phosphates, and thiophosphates chemical groups were sold in Canada<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

They continue: \u201cOPs are widely used in agriculture; thus, it is not surprising that the most common route of exposure to OPs for the general population is via ingestion of foods treated with these pesticides. However, prior studies have compared food consumed prior to a single measure of urinary DAP and not considered daily variation.\u201d (A history of research is found here<\/a>, here<\/a>, here<\/a>, here<\/a>, here<\/a>, here<\/a>, here<\/a>, and here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

As Beyond Pesticides has previously reported<\/a>, organophosphates are a family of insecticides derived from World War II nerve agents. They are cholinesterase inhibitors, meaning they bind irreversibly to the active site of an essential enzyme for standard nerve impulse transmission, acetylcholine esterase (AchE), inactivating the enzyme. Research finds that organophosphates have significant associations with depressive symptom development, including disturbing normal nerve impulses. Additionally, pesticide poisoning can lead to neurotoxicity<\/a> via low serotonin levels and cholinergic changes, further exacerbated by oxidative stress<\/a> and neuronal cell death. A decrease in AChE activity has links to higher depression scores observed in individuals with increased suicide risk, among other deleterious health effects. (See additional related Daily News<\/em> coverage here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Methodology and Results<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the current study, 431 urine samples are analyzed for six dialkyl OP metabolites, including dimethyldithiophosphate (DMDTP), dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP), dimethylphosphate (DMP), diethyldithiophosphate (DEDTP), diethylthiophosphate (DETP), and diethylphosphate (DEP), that correlate with a range of organophosphate pesticide active ingredients. As the authors note: \u201cIn this study we aim to examine the within-subject variability in urinary DAP concentrations over two 24-h periods, and to examine the sensitivity and specificity of a single void to classify a participant’s exposure as high or low. Secondly, we aim to describe the change in urinary OP metabolites (dimethyl phosphates, diethyl phosphates, and total dialkyl phosphates) over two 24-h periods since last consuming a particular food group among a small cohort of pregnant participants who completed food diaries and provided individual urine voids.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the two study periods, participants kept a detailed time log of food and beverages in which there were 3753 foods and drinks recorded, containing 73 distinct items from 14 main food categories, such as meats, vegetables, grains, dairy, fruits, and more. The results show the highest detection rates for DMTP (96%), DMP (94%), DEP (89%), and DETP (77%), with concentrations peaking between 6-12 h post-consumption of certain foods. \u201cIn conclusion, this study found DAP concentrations increased post-consumption of fruits and vegetables in samples collected over a 24 h period on a weekend day, similar to trends found in literature,\u201d the researchers state.<\/p>\n

Previous Research<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is a wide body of science on the health effects of organophosphate pesticide exposure, particularly in pregnant women, with subsequent effects on infants\/children. Cited within the current study are \u201cnumerous investigations in the epidemiological literature regarding possible effects of OP pesticide exposure on the behaviour and development of infants and children, driving home the importance of accurately representing exposure.\u201d This includes:<\/p>\n