MONTREAL – Two scientific literature reviews published today show links between exposure to certain pesticides widely used in Quebec and the risk of autism and Parkinson’s disease. These reports were produced by Autisme Montréal, Parkinson Québec, Alliance pour l’interdiction des pesticides systémique (AIPS) and the David Suzuki Foundation.
Today, the authors1 Louise Hénault-Éthier, Electra Dalamagas, Isabelle Pitrou and Pascal Priori published a literature review entitled Alarming increase in autism: Should we worry about pesticides? Romain Rigal2 of Parkinson Québec also published the conclusions of his study entitled Parkinson and Pesticides. An established causality. Measures to protect all citizens. The two reports were submitted to the National Assembly of Quebec’s Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, Energy and Natural Resources, which will be looking into the impacts of pesticides on human health and the environment this fall.
Over the past few years, research has shown that in addition to individual factors, improvements in detection and changes to the DSM diagnostic criteria, environmental factors play a critical role in explaining an increase in the prevalence of autism. The literature review published today cites many studies that present a link between pesticide exposure and the increased risk for a child to develop autism.
read more … – David Suzuki Foundation
