Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide known to disrupt brain development and cause brain damage, neurological abnormalities, reduced IQ and aggressiveness in children.
Exposure to pesticides, herbicides and insecticides has dramatically increased since the introduction of genetically engineered (GE) crops. Urine output of glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup, shot up by more than 1,200 percent between 1993 and 2016.
1 Unfortunately,
glyphosate is not the only chemical of concern.
Chlorpyrifos (sold under the trade name Lorsban) - an organophosphate insecticide known to
disrupt brain development and cause brain damage, neurological abnormalities, reduced IQ and aggressiveness in children - is another.2 ,3 In adults, the chemical has been linked to Parkinson's disease4,5 and lung cancer.6Chlorpyrifos has been in use since 1965, and is commonly used on staple crops such as wheat and corn, as well as fruits and vegetables, including nonorganic citrus, apples, cherries, strawberries, broccoli, cauliflower and dozens of others. Since the chemical has a
half-life of several months and can remain on sprayed foods for up to several weeks,7 nonorganic foods are a major source of exposure.
Importantly, nonorganic, non-grass fed meats are likely to be loaded with this chemical, since conventional feed consists primarily of genetically and/or conventionally-raised grains such as corn. This is yet another reason to make sure you feed your family
grass fed meats and animal products, especially your young children. Chlorpyrifos is also a
commonly found water contaminant, and has even been found in indoor air.8Children experience greater exposure to chemicals pound-for-pound than adults, and
have an immature and porous blood-brain barrier that allows greater chemical exposures to reach their developing brain. Needless to say, the results can be devastating and, indeed, many agricultural and industrial chemicals have been found to affect children's brain function and development specifically
Comment: Read more about the disabling effects of organophosphates on future generations: