Early exposure to a class of insecticides called pyrethroids could raise the risk of autism and other developmental disorders, even if the exposure is at levels deemed safe by federal regulators, new research has uncovered.
Pyrethroids are one of the most widely used insecticides in the United States. They appear in both industrial preparations and consumer products. Several regions known for widespread pesticide use have documented higher rates of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). In the United States, as many as 17 percent of children are estimated to be affected by NDDs. The new study, published in the journal PNA Nexus on April 25, looked at the effects of low-level exposure to pyrethroids.
