Prenatal Exposure to Household Pesticides May Increase Cancer Risk in Children

A study published in the December 2007 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives says that prenatal exposure to household pesticides may increase the risk of certain types of childhood cancers.

Researchers conducted the study in France in 2004 and 2005. They found that when mothers and fathers used pesticides during the mother’s pregnancy, children were at significantly greater risk of developing acute leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and certain types of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The association was especially strong with household insecticides.

Scientists concluded that while more study is needed to determine specific causal pathways, if they do indeed exist, the findings bolster the theory that household pesticide use increases the risk of various childhood cancers. The researchers also noted that the study’s findings are consistent with past research, suggesting that women should be advised against using household pesticides while pregnant.