Number of people exposed to the harmful effects of pesticides has increased
(ORDO NEWS) — A large study by American scientists showed that every third person who participated in it is exposed to the harmful effects of pesticides. These substances have a particularly adverse effect on children.
We are talking about the so-called 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, or 2,4-D, a derivative of phenoxyacetic acid, a herbicide from the group of synthetic auxins (plant hormones).
This compound was discovered by American Chemical Paint Co. back in 1945. Then its active commercialization began: on the basis of 2,4-D, various weed control products began to be produced.
Due to their high efficiency, they began to be very popular with American farmers. However, the patent expired long ago, so today many chemical companies around the world produce products based on 2,4-D.
The compound is by no means harmless to the human body. It is a volatile white substance, odorless, very poorly soluble in water.
In high doses, 2,4-D is known to cause damage to the nervous system and is also a “possible carcinogen” according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Men who work with this substance are at an increased risk of infertility.
Scientists from George Washington University, the Heartland Health Research Alliance and the Indiana University School of Medicine (USA) have shown that one in three Americans are exposed to 2,4-D.
True, we are talking about one in three of the studies, but it is quite impressive, since the experts studied data on the use of pesticides in the public and private sectors from 2001 to 2014.
Of the 14,395 participants included in the sample, 4,681 had urinary 2,4-D levels above the upper limit.
The analysis showed that human exposure to the harmful substance has not only increased significantly since 2001, but will increase in the future.
Scientists express particular concern because of children, who are extremely sensitive to chemical exposure. So, according to the study, children aged six to 11 years are 2.1 times more at risk of exposure to pesticides compared with participants 20-59 years old.
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