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Randall Neustaedter OMD

A study published by the NIH (National Institutes of Health)* has confirmed that children who eat a diet of predominantly organic foods have a much lower amount of pesticide exposure than children fed a conventional diet. The researchers measured byproducts of organophosphorus pesticides in the urine of 39 children fed organic and nonorganic diets. All children were aged 2 to 5 years old. Their parents kept a diet diary for three days and then provided 24 hour urine samples for the study. The nonorganic group had six times the level of pesticide byproducts compared to the organic group.

This study was conducted because a previous study found no correlation between income level and children's pesticide exposure. One child in the low income group had no evidence of pesticides because he was fed a completely organic diet.

Here is the link for the study:

 http://ehpnet1.hiehs.nih.gov/docs/2003/5745/abstract.html

Children and cancer risk

 If you needed more reason to feed your children organic foods and avoid exposure to toxic chemicals (in cleaning products, shampoos, sunscreens, pesticides, etc.) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has drafted an assessment of cancer risk from toxic exposure in children. Based on animal studies and the dynamic action of carcinogens, the report estimates that children under two years of age are ten times more likely to develop cancer from exposure to carcinogens than adults, and children between ages 2 and 15 are three times as likely. Small children have less ability to metabolize toxins, and have a greater risk of exposure because of more mouthing of objects and hand contact with floors. To view the complete (highly technical) report see the epa.gov website at

http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=55446