Effects of Secondary Occupational Pesticide Exposure on Childhood Growth and Neurobehavioral Development (Also Known as the Effects of Secondary Pesticide Exposure on Infants, Children and Adolescents (ESPINA) Study).

摘要

Children of agricultural workers are at risk of pesticide contamination through secondary routes (e.g. take-home pathway). Animal and human studies suggest that pesticide intoxication in early childhood delays growth and neurodevelopment. Objectives: The Effects of Secondary Pesticide Exposure on Infants, Children and Adolescents (ESPINA) study evaluated the effects of secondary pesticide exposure on childhood growth and neurobehavioral development among children living in a county with an active Fresh-cut flower industry. The following hypotheses were addressed: compared to children without secondary pesticide exposure (operationalized as flower worker (FW) cohabitation), exposed children will have (1) lower acetylcholinesterase (AChE) concentration, (2) lower neurobehavioral development scores, (3) slower growth, (4) higher systolic blood pressure, and (5) lower resting heart rate.