Pregnancy pesticide exposures, birth defects and child health outcomes in the Ontario Farm Family Health Study

Abstract

The use of pesticides has served to enhance the economies and health of nations around the world by amplifying crop production and reducing crop loss. At the same time, studies have linked pre- and post-natal pesticide exposures to certain childhood cancers, neurological deficits, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We explored the relationship between parental pesticide exposure during the pre-conception (3 months prior to conception) and post-conception (first trimester, entire pregnancy period) periods on specific child health outcomes. Our results suggest that pre-conception exposure to cyanazine and dicamba increase the risk of birth defects in male offspring. There is also evidence suggesting that hearing problems and allergies or hayfever are more common in male offspring who are exposed to pesticides during pregnancy. However, given the limited research in this area and the self-reported nature of the exposure and outcomes in this study, the present findings should be considered primarily as hypothesis generating.