California Farmworkers and Babies Face High Organophosphate Exposure

Unborn babies in California’s Central Coast are at heightened risk from organophosphate pesticides, neurotoxic chemicals linked to ADHD, autism, lower IQ, and altered brain development. New research shows that Hispanic pregnant teens in Monterey County often live within a kilometer of fields treated with these petrochemical insecticides, where applications are far higher than the state average.

The study highlights environmental injustices, as Latino communities face disproportionate exposure, amplified by proximity to intensive agriculture and potential occupational contact. Organophosphates, chemically related to nerve agents, disrupt nerve cell communication and can cross the placenta, harming fetal brain development.

Community activists, including Omar Dieguez, have protested, calling for organic alternatives and stricter regulations. Experts recommend phasing out all organophosphates, implementing buffer zones, and reducing cumulative chemical exposures. While California has banned chlorpyrifos, similar pesticides remain in use elsewhere, leaving farmworkers and nearby residents—especially children—vulnerable to long-term neurodevelopmental harm.

01-10-2025