February 27, 2023
An insecticide used in the West Indies from 1973 to 1993 to eliminate banana weevils, chlordecone is well known for its neurotoxic properties. French researchers are once once more sounding the alarm, saying that pre- and post-natal exposure might continue to alter the cognitive development and behavior of children.
« Despite the cessation, 30 years ago, of its use in the West Indies as an insecticide, chlordecone persisting in the environment continues to contaminate populations. “, warns Inserm. And this via the consumption of food itself contaminated.
If we already know that the insecticide is considered an endocrine disruptor, neurotoxic but also carcinogenic, what regarding its impact on the neurodevelopment of unborn children? A very legitimate question since chlordecone is also toxic for reproduction and development and animal models have already shown that exposure of females to chlordecone during pregnancy leads to neurobehavioural and learning disorders in the litter.
Intellectual difficulties
It is to find out more that a French team (Inserm/University of Rennes/School of Advanced Studies in Public Health) examined the intellectual abilities and behavior of 576 Guadeloupean children. To do this, the researchers measured the concentration of the pesticide in the blood of the umbilical cord at birth and in the blood of children at the age of 7 years.
Then the intellectual capacities of the latter were evaluated using 4 indices: verbal comprehension, speed of information processing, working memory and perceptual reasoning (which consists of manipulating different information in order to solve complex visual problems, editor’s note). The mothers were also asked to report any behavioral problems, anger, hyperactivity, etc.
It appears that prenatal exposure is associated with greater relational difficulties with other children, particularly among girls. As for postnatal exposure, it seems to go hand in hand with poorer general intellectual abilities. ” This translates, especially in boys, into a decrease in indices assessing perceptual reasoning, working memory and verbal comprehension. “, note the authors. But also social behavior problems (reluctance to authority, etc.), both for girls and boys.
« These results indicate that exposure to chlordecone during developmental periods in utero or in childhood is associated with decreased intellectual abilities and increased behavioral difficulties “, specify the scientists. which call for pursue public policies aimed at reducing exposure to chlordecone, especially among the most sensitive populations, such as pregnant women and children ».
