Pesticide residues threaten mental health of children

PESTICIDE residues in fruit and vegetables are being blamed for contributing to a rising rate of mental and behavioural disorders, especially in children.

Maximum safe levels for pesticides are established on the basis of adult intake, but do not take into account the needs of children, the European Parliament was told.

Dr Roberto Bertollini, director of the World Health Organisation’s Special Programme on Health and the Environment, explained to the meeting that when young bodies are still developing they may be more vulnerable to toxic compounds than adults.