Women exposed to agricultural pesticides before pregnancy may be increasing the risk of poorer health outcomes for their newborns, according to a University of Arizona study released on Mar. 13. The research found that preconception exposure to certain pesticides is associated with lower Apgar scores in newborns, a key measure of infant health taken within five minutes after birth.
The findings raise concerns about how farming chemicals could affect the next generation, especially as Apgar scores are strongly correlated with long-term child health. The study was published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology and involved researchers from Harvard Chan School of Public Health and UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.
Melissa Furlong, an assistant professor at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and senior author of the study, said: "Pesticides are designed to be toxic – very often, the biological mechanisms that they act on are present not just in insects and weeds, but also in humans. They have demonstrable biological effects on human health."
Researchers analyzed comprehensive pesticide use registries from Arizona—one of only two states maintaining such records—and linked them with all birth certificate records statewide. They found that exposure during both preconception and pregnancy to organophosphates, pyrethroids, and carbamates was associated with lower Apgar scores. Audrey Yang, a graduate student at the College of Medicine – Tucson and first author of the study, said: "What's new in this study is that we identified the preconception period as a possible sensitive window of exposure to some of the commonly used pesticides."
While the study found strong correlations between pesticide exposure and lower Apgar scores, it did not establish causation. Furlong's group plans further research using Medicaid records in Arizona to see if these associations extend to actual neurodevelopmental disorders through childhood.
Furlong emphasized that more data is needed on specific pesticide ingredients so regulations can better protect maternal and child health. She said: "I'm not suggesting a blanket ban on all pesticides. I'm just suggesting we do some more comprehensive legislative or policy initiatives for individual ingredients that exert the most harm." Yang added: "If you think you have increased pesticide exposure, I think it's a notable piece of information to share with your physician."
The research team is also working with clinicians through outreach efforts by creating awareness about pesticide risks among patients living near agricultural areas and encouraging pregnant women to avoid pesticide use during pregnancy. Furlong recommended practical steps such as vacuuming homes regularly, using doormats, avoiding shoes indoors, changing air filters monthly during spray seasons, using water filters for well water users, and checking residential products for certain harmful ingredients.
"Most importantly, try not to use indoor insecticides during pregnancy," Furlong said.
