Pesticides linked to increased mortality

Study shows alarming effects of pesticides

11 November 2019 (Last updated: 16 Jan 2020 14:28)

A recent study has concluded that exposure to a common pesticide increases the risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. Although the study has limitations, its authors call for urgent follow-up.

The study focused on a class of pesticides called pyrethroids. People use these chemicals in agriculture and for residential pest control. Pyrethroids also appear in a range of household products.

As the authors of the new study paper explain, pyrethroids are present in "household and garden insecticides, pet sprays and shampoos, lice treatments, and mosquito repellents."

Pyrethroids account for around 30% of all pesticides in use worldwide. Also, because people phased organophosphates out for residential use, their use of pyrethroids has risen sharply in recent decades.

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