New research in the US has indicated that children living in houses where pesticides are used are twice as likely to develop childhood brain cancer.

The study is part of a growing body of research finding that pesticide exposure might be contributing significantly to the onset of some of the diseases which are becoming increasingly prevalent in Western society.

Brain cancer is the second most common cancer in children. In the UK it has become the leading cause of cancer deaths, killing 47% more children than leukaemia. Incidence of childhood brain cancer is reportedly increasing at 2% per year.

Meanwhile, fresh evidence is emerging that pesticides are a factor in the onset of degenerative neural disorders.

Scientists recently found that people living within 500 meters of a field sprayed with a combination of the pesticides maneb and paraquat resulted in a 75 percent higher risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Childhood brain cancer study: http://is.gd/wB5k
Parkinson’s study: http://is.gd/wB5G



Health and Environment No.14, May 2009 (formerly HCWH Europe Newsletter)