Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and urinary metabolites of organophosphate pesticides in U.S children 8-15 years.

Increased risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with high exposure to organophosphate pesticides.

This study investigated the correlation between urinary levels of the organophosphate pesticide metabolite diakyl phosphate (DAP) and the incidence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children between the ages of 8-15 years. Researchers analyzed nutrition and clinical data of 1,139 children obtained from the 2000-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and interviews with parents.

Researchers observed a higher prevalence of ADHD among children with high concentrations of diakyl phosphate, especially dimethyl alkylphosphate (DMAP), in their urine. The risk of developing ADHD was found to be twice higher in children whose urinary levels of the DMAP metabolite dimethylthiophosphate was above the healthy limits than in those with non-detectable levels of dimethylthiophosphate. The results of this study provide evidence that increased exposure to organophosphate pesticides may promote the development of ADHD.