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(Health-NewsWire.Net, December 15, 2015 ) A long-term study conducted in California found that children of farm-workers have decreased lung function, making them vulnerable to pulmonary disorders. The city of California is known as the “salad bowl of the world” and advertises itself as a great place to live, work and visit.
Researchers tracked the lung function of 279 children who were living close to farm fields in Salinas, from birth to the age of seven. They found that for every 10-fold rise in exposure to pesticides, the children had a corresponding 8 % decrease in lung function. It was found that organo-phosphates are the key ingredient used in pesticides and its exposure can come through air, when farmers-track the chemicals home on their clothes and shoes and from the vegetables and fruits that are not washed properly.
Balmes, who worked at the University of California, San Francisco and University of California, Berkeley said the children have an increased risk for developing such lung diseases as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases caused by air pollution, smoking and infection. Lower lung capacity can also make it harder for them to run or play sports.
Study findings and recommendations
The urine of children were tested 5 times over several years and a lung function test was performed when they reached seven years.
> A previous study found exposure to pesticides to childhood asthma
> For this, they recommend that farm-workers remove their work clothes and shoes before getting inside their home. They also suggested that when spraying pesticides in the nearby fields, make sure children are kept away and if indoors, windows should be closed.
> They also insist the families to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before eating.
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Source: EmailWire.Com 
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