Prenatal Pesticide Exposure May Affect the Brain for Years After Birth

A new study published in *JAMA Neurology* reveals that prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos—a pesticide widely used in agriculture and previously banned for indoor residential use—leads to long-term brain changes in children. Researchers tracked 270 children and adolescents from the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health birth cohort, all of whom had detectable chlorpyrifos levels in umbilical cord blood at birth. The study found that higher prenatal exposure correlated with widespread brain structural, functional, and metabolic alterations. Children with greater exposure also performed worse on motor speed and coordination tests, suggesting chlorpyrifos disrupts multiple biological systems critical for brain development. Chlorpyrifos remains in agricultural use on fruits, vegetables, and grains, exposing pregnant women and children through food, dust, or farm spraying. The study’s dose-response pattern strengthens evidence that current exposure levels may still pose risks, particularly in farming communities. Researchers from Columbia University, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and USC conducted behavioral testing and brain scans on participants aged 6 to 14. The findings highlight the vulnerability of fetal brain development to toxic chemicals, reinforcing concerns about pesticide safety. Senior author Dr. Virginia Rauh warned that pregnant women and children—especially in agricultural areas—may still face risks from ongoing exposure. The study underscores the need for monitoring vulnerable populations, including farm workers and nearby families.