(NaturalNews) The use of pesticides and nitrate-containing fertilizers is almost certainly responsible for rising rates of premature birth in the United States, according to research presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies' annual meeting in Toronto, Canada.
The Pediatric Academic Society is a gathering of the American Pediatric Society, the Society for Pediatric Research, the Ambulatory Pediatric Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The research, performed by Paul Winchester, a medical doctor and a professor of clinical pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, showed that premature births were highest in the months of April through July -- May and June in particular -- and lowest in August and September. This correlated precisely with the seasonal variation in surface water concentrations of nitrates and pesticides. This correlation was independent of the mother's age, education, marital status, age, substance use and area of residence (rural, urban or suburban). The study population consisted of 27 million live births between 1996 and 2002.
"Preterm births in the United States vary month to month in a recurrent and seasonal manner. Pesticides and nitrates similarly vary seasonally in surface water throughout the U.S. Nitrates and pesticides can disrupt endocrine hormones and nitric oxide pathways in the developing fetus," Winchester said.
Premature babies are those born before the 37th week of pregnancy. Due to underdeveloped organs and low body weight, they suffer serious health problems and risks, and must often be kept alive on expensive machinery until their bodies can more fully develop. The occurrence of premature birth in the United States has risen by 30 percent since record keeping began in 1981.
"A growing body of evidence suggests that the consequence of prenatal exposure to pesticides and nitrates as well as to other environmental contaminants is detrimental to many outcomes of pregnancy. As a neonatologist, I am seeing a growing number of birth defects, and preterm births, and I think we need to face up to environmental causes," Winchester said.
Related Articles
• Tracing Pesticides in Children From Ingestion to Elimination
• Altered Breast Tissue Development in Young Girls Linked to Pesticides (press release)
• Pesticides in Food and the Home: Warnings and Alternatives
• Colony Collapse Disorder Debunked: Pesticides Cause Bee Deaths
• Common crop herbicide Atrazine linked to reproductive mutations in amphibians
 |
Additional Resources:
pesticides
fertilizers
prenatal nutrition
|
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
Email this article to a friend
Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/021957.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
|
 |
 |
NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more. |
 |
Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more. |
Featured Videos
Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now... |
How to Buy Organic Apples

The many cides of modern food production

Human Roundup

|
|
Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read. |
|