Article Overview: In the peer review article, Neurodevelopment Disorders and Prenatal Residential Proximity to Agricultural Pesticides: The CHARGE Study, which was published in the Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives published in 2004, examined the environmental health issue of pesticide exposure and the related health outcome of neurodevelopmental disorders developing in the children of women who lived in proximity to commercial pesticide usage in an agricultural setting during pregnancy and conception. The authors of the study included: Janie F. Shelton, Estella M. Geraghty, Daniel J. Tancredi, Lora D. Delwiche, Rebecca J. Schmidt, Beate Ritz, Robin L. Hansen, and Irva Hertz-Picciotto. This paper will consist of an article summary, and critique. Scientific and Social Context of the Study: For
…show more content…
Causation was not claimed; instead the authors suggested these results would add to the discussion and consideration being given to the potential effects of pesticides on sensitive populations in this case fetuses of mothers who lived in proximity of commercial pesticide applications. Further research suggested by the study, include gene-environment interactions. Stated limitations include: assessment of pesticide exposure sources other than the living environment like work, parks, institutional environments, and exposure from home gardens. Dietary intake of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables could also contribute to higher exposure. Additionally, the database that collects the amounts and types of pesticides may not accurately represent what was used in truth. With population based case control studies the primary data is from study subject recall, when they lives where and for how long, what they ate, where they were at the time of interest etc. These questions may or may not be remembered
Causation was not claimed; instead the authors suggested these results would add to the discussion and consideration being given to the potential effects of pesticides on sensitive populations in this case fetuses of mothers who lived in proximity of commercial pesticide applications. Further research suggested by the study, include gene-environment interactions. Stated limitations include: assessment of pesticide exposure sources other than the living environment like work, parks, institutional environments, and exposure from home gardens. Dietary intake of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables could also contribute to higher exposure. Additionally, the database that collects the amounts and types of pesticides may not accurately represent what was used in truth. With population based case control studies the primary data is from study subject recall, when they lives where and for how long, what they ate, where they were at the time of interest etc. These questions may or may not be remembered