Originally published January 16 2006
Bristol researchers link childhood cancer to exposure to pollutants
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
At a conference held by the Children with Leukemia charity in London, scientists from Bristol University presented findings that suggest childhood cancer may be promoted by environmental pollutants, particularly pesticides.
In laboratory studies the Bristol University team showed pollutants were able to travel across the placenta to the unborn baby.
The scientists presented their findings to a conference held by the Children with Leukaemia charity in London.
Experts doubted pesticides were involved in most cases and said more evidence was needed.
Leukaemia is the term used to describe a number of cancers of the blood cells.
In children, about 85% of these are acute lymphoblastic leukaemia or ALL and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) accounts for most of the rest.
Dr Margaret Sanders and colleagues carried out tests on donated human placentas and pregnant guinea pigs.
They found compounds used as pesticides, such as DDT and other organochlorine compounds, readily crossed the placenta.
Co-researcher Professor Alan Preece said: "What the findings show is that if the mother takes these [pesticide compounds] in in food, they do get through to the foetus.
"All we can assume is that, like everything else that a foetus is exposed to, like ionising radiation, they are more sensitive because the cells are all developing and turning over rapidly."
Professor Mel Greaves from the Institute of Cancer Research in London said: "We do not think pesticides are important for the common form of leukaemia in children.
"We have found a possible link with a rare form and we published a study three years ago.
He said there was a study underway in California looking at the possible link between pesticides and childhood leukaemia.
He thought this might provide greater understanding when it reports over the next couple of years.
Professor Greaves said available evidence pointed to genetic factors and exposure to infections during childhood as potentially important contributors.
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