Every year since 1997 the diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder has risen by 3%. Something serious is amiss and a new study published in the journal Pediatrics says that ADHD is tied to an exposure to pesticides.

Research suggests that chemical influences are contributing to the increase in attention problems. Four and a half million children in the United States alone, ages 5 to 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD and in South Africa the numbers are also rising with Ritalin being the most commonly prescribed drug for children, adolescents and young adults.

The Pediatrics study found that children with more pesticide residue in their urine were more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD.The study found that even at the low end of exposure to certain toxic pesticides known as organophosphates, were already known to cause damage to nerve connections in the brain.

Children are usually exposed to the pesticides by eating fruits and vegetables that have been sprayed with the chemicals in the growing process.

It is recommended that parents buy organic produce if possible or better yet grow a substantial amount of their own vegetables. While organic grapes and bananas sell for the same price as their conventionally produced counterparts here in South Africa – the small additional cost of other organically certified fruits would be worth it in the long run.

Know your fruits and vegetables: The “dirty 12” and the “clean 15”

Along the same lines the Environmental Working Group, a US non-profit focused on public health studied almost 100,000 produce pesticide reports – these were made available to the Food & Drug Administration and the US Department of Agriculture to determine which products carry the least and the most chemical residue.

The “dirty 12” containing more than 47 chemicals pesticides per serving are:Strawberries,Apples,Peaches,,Cherries,Nectarines,Blueberries,Grapes, Potatoes,Celery,Bell Peppers,Spinach,Lettuce

It’s critical that consumers know what they are consuming. You can reduce your exposure to pesticides by 80% by buying the organic version of the “dirty 12” and it is becoming even more of an imperative to insist on food labelling now so that we are aware just what has been chemically treated.

For those who are concerned that buying organic will hurt their budget the Group put together the clean 15. These include:

Onions,Sweet corn,Avocados,Sweet potatoes,Sweet onions,Cabbage,Asparagus,Eggplant,Sweet peas,Mango,Kiwi Fruit,Grapefruit,Watermelon, Spanspek,Pineapple

While governments around the world claim that consuming pesticides in low amounts does no harm to you – some studies now show there there is an unquestionable association between pesticides and health problems such as cancer, attention deficit and nervous system disorders.

Pesticides are designed to kills things! How on earth can they be safe for human consumption?

What can you do? Grow your own vegetables Sign up for an organic box scheme – visit The Directory to see a list of suppliers in your area. Learn more by attending exhibitions and shows. Next weekend The Natural & Organic Products Exhibition will be held at The Coca Cola Dome in Jo’burg. The show is a platform to educate consumers to the myriad of natural and organic health solutions that are already available here in South Africa. Visit websites such as www.safeage.org to learn all you can about GM crops and the need for food labelling