BMJ: Exposure to a particular group of chemicals widely used in pest
control for people, pets, and crops, may be linked to behavioural
difficulties in 6 year olds, suggests research published online in Occupational & Environmental Medicine. Pyrethroids are synthetic chemicals which are found in a range of
products, including treatments for head lice, scabies, and fleas, and
some mosquito repellants. They are a safer alternative to organophosphates. But like many
classes of insecticides, they work by damaging nerves, and concerns have
recently been raised about the potential impact of children’s exposure
to them.
So the researchers measured levels of five pyrethroid metabolites in
the urine of women between 6 and 19 weeks of pregnancy, and subsequently
their 6 year olds, to see if there was any link between prenatal and
childhood exposures and behaviour that might be indicative of
neurodevelopmental damage.
From among 3421 pregnant women enrolled in the study between 2002 and
2006, some 571 were randomly selected to take part in the assessments
of their children when they reached the age of 6: 287 of these women
agreed to do so.
The mothers filled in a detailed questionnaire on socioeconomic
factors, lifestyle, their child’s behaviour, and various environmental
exposures.
Psychologists then visited them and their children at home to carry
out behavioural assessments, and to collect dust and urine samples for
analysis.
The children’s behaviour was assessed using the validated Strengths
and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), with a particular focus on
altruism (pro-social behaviour); internalising disorders (inability to
share problems and ask for help) and externalising disorders (defiant
and disruptive behaviours).
Three metabolites (trans-DCCA, cis-DBCA, and cis-DCCA) showed up the
most frequently in the urine samples of both the mothers (100%, 68%, and
65%, respectively) and their children (96.5%, 85%, and just under 65%,
respectively).
After taking account of potentially influential factors, higher
levels of cis-DCCA in the urine of the mums-to-be was associated with a
heightened risk of internalising behaviours in their 6 year olds.
Levels of another metabolite (3-PBA) in the children’s urine samples
were associated with a heightened risk of externalising behaviours.
However, high levels of trans-DCCA were associated with a lowered risk
of externalising behaviours.
But children with the highest levels of metabolites in their urine
were around three times as likely to display abnormal behaviour.
By way of an explanation for these associations, the researchers
suggest that pyrethroids might alter neurochemical signalling in the
brain.
This is an observational study so no firm conclusions can be drawn
about cause and effect, added to which accurately assessing pyrethroid
exposures using urine samples is notoriously difficult because
metabolites are cleared from the body in just a few days.
Nevertheless, the researchers conclude: “The current study suggests
that exposure to certain pyrethroids at the low environmental doses
encountered by the general public may be associated with behavioural
disorders in children.”