A new study has found strong evidence that exposure to chlorpyrifos, a pesticide still widely used in the US despite decades of warnings about its impact on children’s health, can cause impaired brain development and motor function in highly exposed children. The research, published in JAMA Neurology, analyzed data from over 270 children born between 1998 and 2005 whose mothers were exposed to chlorpyrifos during pregnancy.
The study found that the highest exposure levels to the pesticide resulted in reduced blood flow to the brain, thickening of the brain cortex, abnormal brain pathways, impaired nerve insulation, and other problems. Dr. Bradley Peterson, lead author of the study, said that these findings are concerning as they suggest that chlorpyrifos alters the neuronal tissue of those exposed in the womb.
The researchers also found that highly exposed children struggled with tests involving motor skills, such as tapping a keyboard in succession or moving their fingers in a certain sequence. The study’s findings build on previous research linking chlorpyrifos to lower birth weights and smaller head size in exposed children.
Environmental and health advocates have long pushed for the EPA to ban chlorpyrifos, citing its risks to children’s brains. While the agency announced a partial ban in 2021, it was reversed after a federal court sided with farm groups opposed to the move. The new study has reignited calls for stricter regulation of the pesticide.
Experts warn that there is no safe level of exposure to chlorpyrifos, and minimizing its use through organic food and proper hygiene practices are the best ways to limit exposure. As the US continues to grapple with the risks of this pesticide, advocates urge the EPA to prioritize the health of children over industry profits.
Source: https://www.thenewlede.org/2025/08/chlorpyrifos-harms-kids-brains-epa