每年定期的戶外環境消毒作業，健康風險究竟如何？美國巴爾的摩（Baltimore）兒科學術會議今年發表的研究發現，在空中噴灑防蚊殺蟲劑，可能增加兒童自閉症譜系障礙和發展遲緩。
颶風過後，美國空軍出動飛機噴灑防蟲藥劑，防止病媒蚊孳生。圖片來源：Chuck Simmins（CC BY 2.0）。
每年夏天，衛生官員都在紐約州中部一沼澤區用直升機噴灑菊酯類農藥，控制可能帶原東部馬腦炎病毒的蚊子。這種病毒會造成腦部和脊椎的腫脹。相對的，周邊地區使用的是標準的除蟲方法，像是用一般商業噴頭噴灑、人工撒殺蟲劑顆粒等。
直升機噴灑的「Duet」是美國環保署和紐約州環境保育部註冊使用的殺蟲劑。
研究使用了紐約州環境保育部公布的各郵遞區號殺蟲劑噴灑量，和2013美國社區調查的人口資料，將八個直升機噴灑農藥的郵遞區號和16個控制組郵遞區號進行比較。比較結果顯示，2003年起有直升機噴灑農藥的地區，兒童診斷出自閉症或有發展遲緩紀錄的比例比控制組高了25%。
「已有其他研究顯示，暴露於殺蟲劑會增加兒童自閉症譜系障礙或發展遲緩的風險。我們的研究則顯示，風險高低可能和使用殺蟲劑的方法有關。」主要作者Steven Hicks博士說：「使用殺蟲劑的社區要想辦法減少兒童暴露於殺蟲劑的機會，包括考慮採取替代性的噴灑方法。」
根據國家衛生研究所資料，患有自閉症譜系障礙的兒童可能有以下特徵：
- 持續的社交問題，包括溝通和互動困難
- 重複行為，興趣和活動有限
- 有礙個人社交發展的症狀
這些症狀往往在兩歲前就可辨識。根據聯邦疾病控制預防中心資料，在美國，每68個兒童就有一名患自閉症譜系障礙。
自閉症是一種成長快速的發展障礙。美國自閉症兒童比例從2000年（150人中1人）到2010年（68人中1人）增加了119.4%。今日，超過350萬美國人與自閉症譜系障礙共同生活，自閉症相關服務每年花費2360億到2620億美元。
The use of airplanes to spray anti-mosquito pesticides may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays among children, finds new research presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2016 Meeting in Baltimore.
For this study, the scientists identified a swampy region in central New York State where health officials use airplanes to spray pyrethroid pesticides each summer.
The pesticides target mosquitos that carry the eastern equine encephalitis virus, which can cause swelling of the brain and spinal cord.
In contrast, surrounding areas are exposed to standard methods of pesticide application, such as controlled droplet application by commercial applicators.
The pesticide that was used for the aerial spraying is Duet. This pesticide is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Division of Environmental Conservation for this use.
Publicly available mandated reporting data from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation were used to quantify pesticide exposure among zip codes.
The 2013 American Community Survey was used to quantify demographic data. Data from the eight zip codes exposed to yearly aerial pyrethroid pesticides were compared with 16 control zip codes.
The researchers found that children living in ZIP codes in which aerial pesticide spraying has taken place each summer since 2003 were 25 percent more likely to have an autism diagnosis or documented developmental delay compared to those in ZIP codes with other methods of pesticide distribution, such as manually spreading granules or using hoses or controlled droplet applicators.
“Other studies have already shown that pesticide exposure might increase a child’s risk for autism spectrum disorder or developmental delay,” said lead investigator Steven Hicks, MD, PhD. “Our findings show that the way pesticides are distributed may change that risk.”
“Communities that have pesticide programs to help control the mosquito population might consider ways to reduce child pesticide exposure, including alternative application methods.”
Children with autism spectrum disorder often have these characteristics, according to the National Institutes of Health:
• Ongoing social problems that include difficulty communicating and interacting with others
• Repetitive behaviors and limited interests or activities
• Symptoms that hurt the individual’s ability to function socially
Symptoms are typically recognized in the first two years of life.
In the United States, autism spectrum disorder is estimated to occur at one in 68 births, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a federal agency.
Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability. Prevalence of autism in U.S. children increased by 119.4 percent from 2000 (1 in 150) to 2010 (1 in 68).
Today, more than 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder, and autism services cost U.S. citizens $236-262 billion every year.
※ 全文及圖片詳見：ENS
※ 本文與 行政院農業委員會 林務局 
合作刊登
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
