Popular herbicide may affect teenagers’ brains

New research has linked exposure to popular herbicide 2,4D to altered brain function in teenagers.

Exposure to popular herbicide 2,4D may be linked to altered brain function in teenagers, according to new research.

Australia’s pesticides regulator says it will not be reviewing the use of popular herbicide 2,4D in light of new research linking the product to altered brain function in teenagers.

In a paper published in peer-reviewed journal Environment Health Perspectives on Wednesday, researchers said they found a link between the presence of 2,4-D herbicide in the urine of adolescents and altered neurocognitive performance, including negative effects on attention and inhibitory control, language, memory and learning.

In the study, researchers tested the urine of 519 teenagers aged between 11 and 17 living in agricultural communities in Ecuador and found 2,4D present in 66 per cent of samples.

The researchers then tested the teenagers’ brain function.

“Statistically significant associations were observed with attention/inhibition, language, memory and learning,” they wrote.

2,4D, or 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, is widely used on farms across Australia to control weeds, with about 220 products containing 2,4-D registered for use in the country.

Previous studies have linked 2,4D exposure to an increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma, breast cancer, gastric cancer, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, endocrine disruption, and sperm disorders.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority said on Friday it had “considered the information presented in the new study” and would not be reviewing its guidelines around the use of the chemical.
“The APVMA considers the study does not present evidence that warrants a further review of 2,4-D,” a spokesperson said.

“The current use of 2,4-D in accordance with label instructions is considered to be safe for humans and the environment.”

Gene Ethics executive director Bob Phelps said the APVMA’s response was not good enough. “The APVMA’s claim that just by following its label instructions, everyone is safe, is just unbelievable,” Mr Phelps said.

“The latest finding, that 2,4-D impacts the human brain and behaviour, just adds to compelling scientific evidence of 2,4-D’s toxicity.”