7 Nasty and Crazy Effects of Pesticides in Food, ExposureLisa Garber Unfortunately, pesticides attack your body on several fronts. Keep this list handy the next time you find yourself wondering if you should buy a carton of conventional strawberries rather than organic to potentially save a few pennies. Remember that all of the following conditions will cost you much more than money; the effects of pesticides will cost you your health. Here are 7 nasty and crazy effects of pesticides. Cancer The dreaded diagnosis of cancer has been linked in over 260 studies worldwide to agrochemicals. Worse, scientists have linked pesticides with several types of cancers, including that of the breast, prostate, brain, bone, thyroid, colon, liver, lung, and more. Some researchers from USC found that those who lived within 500 meters of places where methyl bromide, captan and eight other organochlorine pesticides had been applied, they found, were more likely to have developed prostate cancer. Obesity and Diabetes Because pesticides have also been linked to obesity, its logical that it would be connected to diabetes, in which obesity often has a role. Some researchers found a higher prevalence of obesity in the participants with high urinary concentrations of a pesticide known as 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP). It is important to note that 2,5-DCP is one of the most widely used pesticides on the globe. Robert Sargis, MD, PhD, revealed his recent study findings at the Endocrine Societys 94th Annual Meeting, stating that agricultural fungicide created insulin resistance in fat cells. The journal Diabetes Care published in 2011 that people with excess weight and high levels of organochlorine pesticides in their bodies had greater risk of becoming diabetic. Parkinsons Disease Long-term exposure to herbicides and pesticides have been associated in over 60 studies with Parkinsons. You dont have to be a conventional farmer to be wary of these findings. Use natural methods to keep pests and weeds out of your home and garden today. Infertility and Birth Defects One of the most well-known negative effects of pesticides, infertility is continuously found to be a result of exposure to these agrochemicals. Atrazinea weed killer used in agriculture as well as on golf courses and which has been found in tap watermay be partially responsible for climbing miscarriage and infertility rates. As for men, one 2006 study pinpointed chlorpyrifos with lowering testosterone levels. This pesticide is often found in strawberry fields and apple and peach orchards. Other researchers tested roundup on mature male rats at a concentration range between 1 and 10,000 parts per million (ppm), and found that within 1 to 48 hours of exposure, testicular cells of the mature rats were either damaged or killed. Avoid pesticides even if youre already pregnant. These chemicals are responsible for causing various birth defects, too. A report revealed that the top selling herbicide Roundup disrupts male hormones due to the main active ingredient glyphosate. Autism Admittedly, pesticides arent solely to blame for autism, but they may be a hefty part of the equation. Leading scientists are attributing the condition to genes and insecticides exposed to the mother while pregnant as well as to the child in early years. This is because many chemicals affect the neurology of bugs, inadvertently affecting the neurological function of children, too. A 2010 Harvard study blames organophosphate pesticidesfound in childrens urineto ADHD. What is the best way to to avoid pesticide exposure and pesticides in food? Dont use pesticides, and buy organic. Organic isnt always easy or cheap, so keep in mind these updated dirty dozen fruits and vegetables to always buy organic (plus 15 cleaner foods you can afford to buy conventional). NASA has also suggested raising air purifying plants indoors to clear your home of indoor air pollution. Remember to remove pesticides from your home, too. Additional Sources: Explore More: This article first appeared at Natural Society, an excellent resource for health news and vaccine information. 