Studies have shown that adults who are exposed to DDT have a higher risk of high blood pressure, however, U.S. Researchers state that prenatal DDT exposure is also linked to hypertension.
Michele La Merrill, lead author, and assistant professor at the University of California, Davis' Department of Environmental Toxicology, said the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency banned DDT in the U.S. In 1972, after nearly three decades of usage.
The pesticide, however, is still used for malaria control in other parts of the world, such as South Africa and India, and children born in those continents could have a higher risk of hypertension as adults, according to researchers.
La Merrill stated that traces of DDT, a persistent organic pollutant, also remained in the food system, mostly in fatty animal products.
“Evidence from our study shows that women who were born in the U.S. Before DDT was banned have an increased risk of hypertension that might be explained by increased DDT exposure,” La Merrill said.” And the children of people in areas where DDT is still being used may have an increased risk, as well.”
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