Photo credit: Jetzandzepplins

A recent study conducted by the National Institute of Health and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, shows that pesticide use is associated with the development of diabetes. The Agricultural Health Study is a study that follows more than 89,000 farmers and their spouses in Iowa and North Carolina since 1993 in order to better understand how agricultural work affects the health of farmers. Using data collected from this study, researchers found that of among more than 13,600 farmers’ wives who had ever mixed or used pesticides, five of those pesticides (Fonofos, Phorate, parathion, dieldrin, and 2,4,5-T/2,4,5-TP) were associated with the development of diabetes. These results are consistent with other studies, and suggest that increased risk of diabetes in women and men is associated with the use of specific pesticides.