Children exposed to insecticide and pesticides can be as much as 50 percent more at risk for cancer than other children, studies indicate.
Data from 16 past studies comparing the link between pesticide exposure and the development of childhood cancer showed that kids exposed to insecticides or pesticides indoors were 43 percent more likely to have lymphoma and 47 percent more likely to have leukemia. Exposure indoors caused an even higher risk than exposure outdoors in a yard or garden.
Studies confirm the deadly risk of pesticide exposure
Studies conducted in North America, Europe, Africa and Australia all yielded research results that confirm the deadly risk of insecticide and pesticide exposure for human beings and children in particular. Their smaller physical size makes the impact of these chemicals more profound and detrimental. The main cancers caused by pesticides and insecticides are leukemia and lymphoma.
While lymphoma and leukemia are considered relatively rare – around five kids out of 100,000 get leukemia in the U.S. – they are still among the most common kinds of childhood cancer. Childhood cancer in general is on the rise, and it is likely that insecticide and pesticide exposure is part of the cause.