Pesticide Exposure
During Conception May Affect School Success Later
(MS)
– Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine say that exposure
to pesticides (which is more frequent for babies conceived in May and
June) could impact their development, lead to premature birth and may
affect school performance as the child ages. Researchers examined Indiana
Statewide Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP) scores from 1.6 million
children in grades 3 through 10. The team compared that with the month
the children were conceived. Children conceived in June through August
had the lowest ISTEP scores for math and language, according to the
study. While the findings aren’t absolute proof that nitrate fertilizers and
pesticides are to blame, there is strong evidence that they just may be.
