A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California San Diego has found that exposure to commonly used weed killers could have a negative impact on the brains of adolescents. Herbicides, which are widely used around the world in agriculture, homes, and industry, have now been associated with worsened brain function among teenagers.
The study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, focused on two popular herbicides: glyphosate and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Researchers collected urine samples from 519 adolescents aged 11 to 17 in the agricultural county of Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador, in 2016. They measured the concentrations of these herbicides, as well as the insect repellent DEET, and assessed the participants’ neurobehavioral performance in areas such as attention and inhibitory control, memory and learning, language, visuospatial processing, and social perception.
The findings revealed that glyphosate, a nonselective herbicide used in various crops and residential areas, was detected in 98 percent of the participants. Meanwhile, 2,4-D, a broadleaf herbicide used on lawns, aquatic sites, and crops, was found in 66 percent of the participants. Higher levels of 2,4-D in urine were associated with poorer performance in attention and inhibitory control, memory and learning, and language. Glyphosate concentration was linked to lower scores in social perception, but there was no significant association found with DEET metabolites.
The widespread use of glyphosate and 2,4-D has increased significantly in recent years, coinciding with the introduction of genetically modified crops. The authors of the study highlighted the need for further research into the long-term effects of these herbicides, as well as other chemicals that are being released into the market without sufficient safety knowledge.
The study also emphasized the potential impact on mental health, as previous research has linked exposure to certain insecticides to altered neurocognitive performance and mood disorders. Alarmingly, a significant number of adolescents and young adults today suffer from mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, impulsivity, aggression, or learning disorders.
The researchers noted that the negative association with 2,4-D was observed in all five neurobehavioral areas studied, with statistically significant links to attention and inhibitory control, memory and learning, and language. Glyphosate, on the other hand, only showed a significant negative association with social perception.
The study is part of ESPINA: The Study of Secondary Exposures to Pesticides Among Children and Adolescents, a long-term research project funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and other private sources. The aim of ESPINA is to understand the impact of pesticide exposure on human development from childhood to adulthood.
In conclusion, the study raises concerns about the potential harm of widely used herbicides on adolescent brain function. With the increasing use of these chemicals worldwide, further research is needed to fully understand their long-term effects and ensure the safety of individuals, especially children and teenagers, who may be more vulnerable to their neurotoxic effects.
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