Pesticide-brain tumour link fears

Think twice before spraying your houseplants with insecticide. Those mealybugs could be having the last laugh, because new research suggests it can increase the risk of brain tumours.

Experts from from the Institute of Public Health, Epidemiology and Development at the University Victor Segalen, Bordeaux, examined the role pesticides played in the development of the tumours.

They studied 121 patients with tumours - 95 men and 26 women - who were compared with more than 400 healthy controls.

Agriculture workers exposed to pesticides had a slightly increased risk of a brain tumour, and those exposed to the highest levels had more than twice the risk.

The highest risk individuals were particularly likely to develop gliomas, tumours affecting the cells that support and protect nerve cells in the brain.

People who used pesticides on their indoor houseplants also appeared to double their risk.

However, the study published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine did not examine what types of fertilisers, pesticides or other chemicals were used in the home.

The authors looked at all newly diagnosed cases of symptomatic primary central nervous system tumours occurring between May 1, 1999, and April 30, 2001 in adults aged 16 and over living in Gironde, south-west France, at the time of diagnosis.

They concluded: "These data suggest that a high level of occupational exposure to pesticides might be associated with an excess risk of brain tumours, and especially of gliomas.

"Last week the same team of scientists revealed a link between pesticides and Parkinson’s.

High levels of exposure raised the risk of the disease by 39%, while even low levels increased it by 9%.

A spokesman for the Crop Protection Association said: "Pesticides are some of the most thoroughly regulated chemicals in the world. There is no conclusive scientific evidence of a link between pesticides and brain tumours.

"This type of study does not demonstrate cause and effect, and the authors themselves admit that they did not identify which pesticides were used or the levels of exposure. "

Josephine Querido, science information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: "More research is needed to confirm the observations made in this study, as the results were based on people's recollection of pesticide exposure.

"Brain tumours are relatively rare and although workers exposed to high levels of pesticides in industry or farming may be at higher risk of certain cancers, current evidence is inconclusive and any risks are likely to be very small."

A spokesman for the Crop Protection Association said: "Pesticides are some of the most thoroughly regulated chemicals in the world.

"There is no conclusive scientific evidence of a link between pesticides and brain tumours.

"This type of study does not demonstrate cause and effect, and the authors themselves admit that they did not identify which pesticides were used or the levels of exposure."

A report published in April found that pesticide traces were discovered in 37 out of 50 samples of fruit and vegetables destined for schools.

The Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC), an independent body which advises the Government and the Food Standards Agency, said none of the pesticides exceeded maximum legal levels or posed any health concerns.

The environmental group Friends of the Earth claims that some pesticides could cause cancer, damage nerves, and disrupt the body's hormone system.