--- title: "Experts: Ban Pesticides That Threaten Kids’ Brains" description: "A group of expert toxicologists has come out swinging in a new paper, recommending that governments ban controversial pesticides called organophosphates." date: "2018-10-24" modified: "2018-10-24" authors: - name: "Jon Christian" job_title: "Executive Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jonc" url: "https://futurism.com/neoscope/ban-pesticides-brain-damage-children" categories: - "Brain" - "Health & Medicine" tags: - "bruce lanphear" - "organophosphates" - "pesticides" - "the digest" --- # Experts: Ban Pesticides That Threaten Kids’ Brains ![Default Futurism featured image]() ## Pest Mess Evidence has been [growing for years]() that organophosphates, a class of pesticides that growers spray on fruits and vegetables to protect them from insects, can cause [lasting cognitive problems]() for unborn children. Now a group of expert toxicologists has decided enough is enough. In a [new paper]() published in the influential journal *PLOS Medicine*, they recommend governments [ban organophosphates]() completely*.* ## Meta Analysis The paper's authors reviewed dozens of studies on the effects of organophosphates. Their conclusion: The compounds can cause terrible learning deficits in children, especially if the youngsters are exposed in the womb through their mothers' diets. "We found no evidence of a safe level of organophosphate pesticide exposure for children," co-author Bruce Lanphear, a professor at Simon Fraser University, [told the *Guardian*](). "Well before birth, organophosphate pesticides are disrupting the brain in its earliest stages, putting them on track for difficulties in learning, memory, and attention, effects which may not appear until they reach school-age." ## Outlook Unclear It's not clear whether the paper will actually compel anyone to ban pesticides, but it doesn't look likely in the U.S. — earlier this year, the Trump administration [moved to block]() the use of organophosphates research to steer policy. But as long as the agriculture industry keeps using the chemicals, scientists appear ready to keep sounding the alarm against them. **READ MORE:** [Organophosphate Exposures During Pregnancy and Child Neurodevelopment: Recommendations for Essential Policy Reforms]() \[*PLOS Medicine*\] ***More on pesticides: [The EPA Approves the Continued Use of a Harmful Chemical in Pesticides]()*** ## Author I'm responsible for editing, assigning, and scouting at Futurism, as well as occasionally writing for the site. That work involves keeping an eye on a wide range of narratives and issues, but over the past few years I've become increasingly interested in how AI is shaping the future of media, the web, and information itself. My day-to-day often involves collaborating on reporting and commentary projects bylined by my colleagues, but I try to find time to do my own reporting as well; stories I've broken for Futurism have been cited by publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the New Yorker, Wired, Ars Technica, New York Magazine, the Columbia Journalism Review, Bloomberg, and more. I grew up in Southern Vermont and attended Vanderbilt University. Prior to Futurism, I contributed to outlets including the Boston Globe, Vice, Wired, Slate, the Atlantic, the Outline, Ars Technica and more, and did stints in farming and food service. I currently live in Brooklyn, New York, and in my free time I enjoy pinball, word games, cycling, running, and music production. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()