Teeth swiped from tooth fairies could provide important information about the link between chemicals and autism. Researchers are excited . We already know that timing is a critical piece of the autism/chemical connection. Scientists now say that by grinding up baby teeth, they can accurately measure not only what toxicants children have been exposed to, but precisely when. A few weeks ago, researchers in Texas reported the results of their mass spectrometry examination of baby teeth. They found breakdown products of organophosphate pesticides and plasticizers in 21 molars of young, healthy...

There's an interesting debate emerging in the public health world. It has to do with whether we need to rejigger our thinking about the risks pesticides and other chemicals pose to children's health. Traditionally, we've had a "disease-oriented" approach, assessing risk based on the severity of a health outcome (think birth defects or cancer ). But earlier this month a provocative Environmental Health Perspectives article argued that a "population approach" might be wiser — meaning that even when a health effect is not severe, if it's affecting a huge number of our children (think dropping...

If we set our minds to it, we can turn back the rising tide of autism. But it will take the courage to embrace the following common-sense goal, in both policy and practice: Expecting parents and young children should not take in chemical contaminants that are known to harm developing minds. This week, scientists released a list of exactly which contaminants we're talking about. The top 10 chemicals contributing to autism and learning disabilities include commonly used pesticides, as well as chemicals found in many consumer products. The scientists tell us the list is likely to grow. But for...

Hats off to this mother of three who got fed up and took charge. Thirteen years ago, Sofía Gatica's newborn died of kidney failure after being exposed to pesticides in the womb. After the despair came anger, then a fierce determination to protect the children in her community and beyond. Today, she's one of six grassroots leaders from around the world receiving the Goldman Environmental Prize , in recognition of her courageous — and successful — efforts. We at Pesticide Action Network are deeply honored to host Sofía as she travels to San Francisco for tonight's ceremony and celebration. And...

Today, a pesticide that scientists have called "one of the most toxic chemicals on earth" is being pulled out of strawberry fields and off the U.S. market altogether. I love good news. And this victory is a big one. It's a win for kids living and going to school near strawberry fields. It's a win for families in rural communities, especially in California and Florida where most of this country's strawberries are grown. And it's a win for farmers and farmworkers alike, as California invests instead in much safer ways to protect berries from bugs . Scientists were outraged Methyl iodide's...

You'd think a pesticide based on flowers would be harmless, right? The promoters of synthetic pyrethroids — which mimic the natural pyrethrum extracted from chrysanthemums — certainly want us to think so. But once again, the latest batch of "safer" pesticides are not as harmless as we thought, and pose particular risks to children . Unfortunately, EPA seems to be turning a blind eye to emerging evidence, and is poised to open the floodgates to more pyrethroid products and uses. We need to tell them it's not a good idea . Pyrethroids exploded onto the market more than a decade ago, and are now...

I’m a California mom, and I’m deeply concerned about pesticides. As part of my job with Pesticide Action Network, I’ve learned more than anyone should ever know about pesticides in my body and on the food I feed my kids . And as I've worked for stronger rules to protect children from pesticides, one thing has become painfully clear: a handful of giant pesticide corporations wield an incredible amount of influence on the system. Whenever we try to promote policies that protect children’s health, someone like Monsanto or Dow seems to get in the way. That’s why I’m standing up now to support PAN...

For over a year, we at PAN have been watching EPA’s long-overdue review of atrazine , a common herbicide that's been linked to birth defects , hormone disruption and cancer. You may have heard about this chemical - it's the one that scientists have found can turn male frogs into females at astonishingly low levels. From the outset we've pressed the agency's panel of scientists to rely on studies not funded by industry . Unfortunately, that's not exactly how it's played out. Syngenta's atrazine A bit of backstory's in order. The company that makes atrazine, the Syngenta Corporation , has shown...

As parents, we have plenty on our minds as we settle into a new school year — new teachers, carpools, sibling rivalry — the list goes on. We really shouldn't have to add this: apples and peaches we're packing in our kids' lunchbags may expose them to chlorpyrifos, a pesticide known to lower IQs and increase risk of ADHD . I'm sorry, what?? If you ask me, the following scenario makes much more sense: Fruits and veggies help make kids healthy and smart. Farming with chemicals like chlorpyrifos that harm children is unthinkable . And what we pack for lunch doesn't risk damage to our child's...