Agricultural workers in at least eight US states are at risk of developing neurological problems due to prolonged exposure to organophosphate pesticides, a report by the organization Earthjustice warned on Thursday.
People who are exposed to high doses of organophosphate pesticides for even a short time can experience serious neurological problems. These pesticides are also linked to neurodevelopmental problems in fetuses and infants.
The report, which documents the location and intensity of organophosphate pesticide use in the United States, found that some regions of the country are most at risk, particularly central and southern California, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, central and southern Florida, southern Georgia, and South Carolina.
Researchers found that agricultural workers are at the most immediate risk for exposure to organophosphate pesticides, although the entire U.S. population may be at risk through drinking water and food, among other forms of exposure.
The report warns that organophosphate pesticide residues are in abundance in the country and have been found at worrying levels in fresh produce such as coriander, basil, frozen strawberries, frozen spinach, mangoes and bell peppers.
People living near fields where organophosphate pesticides are used can experience dangerous levels of exposure, the report notes. Babies and young children are also at risk of further harm from exposure to these pesticides.
In addition to neurological problems, organophosphates are associated with other serious health effects. Almost half of the 17 organophosphate pesticides reviewed by the researchers were associated with reproductive harm or were characterized as carcinogenic at some level.
Results from the study, which used 17 health risk assessments for organophosphate exposure, as well as agricultural pesticide use data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), are being used to support a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA) to ban the use of all organophosphate pesticides.
The EPA recently banned all use of chlorpyrifos – the best known but not the most dangerous organophosphate pesticide – on food products. However, the groups, led by Earthjustice, warn that the ban should be extended to all organophosphates.
“EPA’s own data shows that all organophosphates are linked to intellectual disability, not just chlorpyrifos. The EPA must ban all organophosphates from food, “Patti Goldman, an attorney for Earthjustice, said in a statement.
In that sense, Eriberto Fernández, campaign coordinator for the United Farm Workers Foundation, assured that to promote environmental justice, EPA must ensure that its decisions do not leave any agricultural worker behind.
For her part, Jeannie Economos of the Florida Farmworker Association noted that farmworker families around the country are raising children with learning disabilities and other neurodevelopmental problems due in large part to agricultural and dietary exposure to organophosphate pesticides.
“Our communities suffer, so banning organophosphate pesticides is a matter of public health and justice.”
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