Les pesticides et la santé humaine

This fact sheet by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment summarizes three systematic reviews to outline the adverse health effects of pesticide exposure, emphasizing the vulnerability of children and pregnant women and advocating for the ban of cosmetic pesticide use.

• Pesticides are categorized into several families with varying levels of environmental persistence. Organochlorines (e.g., DDT) are highly persistent and banned in Canada, while organophosphates (e.g., glyphosate, the most used herbicide by volume in Canada and globally) and pyrethroids have intermediate persistence. Other families include carbamates, thiocarbamates, phenoxy herbicides (e.g., 2,4-D), and triazines (e.g., atrazine).
• Pregnant women, fetuses, and children are particularly vulnerable to pesticide toxicity. Fetuses are at risk due to rapid cell division, while infants and children have developing brains, nervous systems, and organs, and less effective detoxification mechanisms. Children also have higher exposure risks due to higher respiration rates, a higher skin-surface-to-weight ratio, and behaviors such as spending more time on the floor and putting objects in their mouths.
• Acute pesticide poisoning in Canada is estimated to affect approximately 6,000 people annually, with children accounting for 47% of these cases. Acute symptoms can affect the eyes (irritation), skin (burns, dermatitis), central nervous system (convulsions, coma), respiratory system (pulmonary edema), cardiovascular system (cardiac arrhythmia), and gastrointestinal tract (vomiting, abdominal pain).
• Systematic reviews indicate a positive correlation between pesticide exposure and several types of cancer. In adults, associations include brain, prostate, and kidney cancers, as well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and leukemia. In children, exposure is linked to lymphoma, brain cancer, Ewing sarcoma, neuroblastoma, and leukemia. Prenatal and postnatal periods are identified as critical exposure windows.
• Pesticide exposure is linked to significant non-cancerous health issues, particularly regarding reproduction and neurology. Evidence shows associations with fetal growth changes (birth weight and head circumference), congenital malformations (e.g., cleft palate, neural tube defects), and neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Alzheimer's disease. In children, prenatal exposure to organophosphates is associated with ADHD, autism, and impaired mental development.
• Exposure to organophosphates and carbamates is associated with negative respiratory effects, including atopic asthma. In children six years old or younger, exposure to organophosphate insecticides, biocides, and fungicides is linked to increased asthma and wheezing. Other associated conditions include COPD, hay fever, and allergic rhinitis in specific populations.
• The document argues that the health risks of toxic pesticides outweigh the benefits of their use on lawns and gardens. It advocates for the application of the precautionary principle and the implementation of strong legislation, such as banning entire categories of pesticides and using 'white lists' of safer alternatives, to protect vulnerable populations.

APA

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (2017). Les pesticides et la santé humaine. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2.Document-dinformation-Les-Pesticides-et-la-sante-Sept-22-2017_FR.pdf

Chicago

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. Les pesticides et la santé humaine. 2017. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2.Document-dinformation-Les-Pesticides-et-la-sante-Sept-22-2017_FR.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |title=Les pesticides et la santé humaine |date=June 2017 |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2.Document-dinformation-Les-Pesticides-et-la-sante-Sept-22-2017_FR.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{canadianassociationofphysiciansfortheenvironment2017les, author = {{Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}}, title = {{Les pesticides et la santé humaine}}, institution = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, year = {2017}, month = jun, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2.Document-dinformation-Les-Pesticides-et-la-sante-Sept-22-2017_FR.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }