A new study shows that the pesticide being sprayed is not only dangerous
for the mosquitoes but also for the children.
According to a new research to be presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies
2016, aerial spraying of Pyrethroid pesticides may increase the risk of autism
spectrum disorder and developmental delays among children.
"Our findings show that the way pesticides are distributed may change that
risk. Preventing mosquito-borne encephalitis is an important task for public
health departments," said lead investigator Steven Hicks, MD PhD, in a
statement.
Pyrethroi pesticides are used to kill mosquitoes carrying the eastern equine
encephalitis virus, which can cause swelling of the brain and spinal cord.
Every summer, health officials use airplanes to spray this kind of pesticides
from the air into the swampy regions of central New York.
The study reveals that children living in the area where the spraying took
place are 25 percent most likely to be diagnosed with autism and experience
developmental delays compared to the children living in the area that uses
other methods of controlling the prevalence of mosquitoes.
"Ourfindings show that the way pesticides are distributed may change that
risk. Preventing mosquito-borne encephalitis is an important task for public
health departments," Hicks continued.
"Communities that have pesticide programs to help control the mosquito
population might consider ways to reduce child pesticide exposure, including
alternative application methods."
According to CDC, about 1 in 68 children (1.47%) has been identified with
autism spectrum disorder (ASD), while studies in Asia, Europe, and North
America have identified individuals with ASD with an average prevalence of
between 1% and 2%. ■
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