Pregnant women living near agricultural areas and exposed to pesticide residues face a higher risk of complications, including slowed fetal growth. Digest
Toxic chemicals used in agriculture can travel far beyond the fields where they are sprayed, often ending up in homes and water sources. This is especially concerning during pregnancy, a critical period when environmental exposures can shape lifelong health outcomes for both mother and child. A recent study found that more than 80% of pregnant women in a major crop-producing region had detectable levels of pesticides—some of which are banned or unregistered for use—in their urine.
Researchers collected urine samples from 89 pregnant women living in both rural and urban communities in a predominantly agricultural area. They assessed the samples for the presence of 74 different pesticides and gathered data on the women's health, lifestyle, and pregnancy outcomes.
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They found that 81% of women had at least one pesticide in their urine, and 64% had as many as 15. The most commonly detected were a fungicide called vinclozolin (found in 45% of women), an herbicide called propazine (23%), and an insecticide called triazophos (19%). Rural women living near agricultural areas experienced considerably more pregnancy-related complications—49% compared to 19% among urban residents. In addition, women with higher levels of certain fungicides were more likely to experience intrauterine growth restriction, a condition where the fetus grows too slowly in the womb.
These findings suggest that environmental exposure to pesticide mixtures—even outside direct agricultural work—interferes with healthy pregnancies. Learn lifestyle strategies to optimize for a healthy pregnancy in Aliquot #100: Optimizing for a Healthy Pregnancy & Early Childhood