Forwarded by Michele Gagnon, Am Assn on Mental Retardation

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE ONLINE

Pesticide threat to babies linked to enzyme levels
Researchers find them much more at risk than adults
Jane Kay, Chronicle Environment Writer
Friday, March 3, 2006

The regulation of pesticides might not be strict enough to protect newborns
and infants, a study published Thursday by UC Berkeley researchers suggests.

The study of 130 mothers and their children in California's Central Valley
revealed that a natural enzyme in the human body that breaks down toxicants,
including commonly used pesticides, varies to such a degree that some of the
population's youngest members may be virtually defenseless against some
chemicals.

For the first time, researchers believe they can predict people's
vulnerability to certain pesticides based on their enzyme levels, their age
and their genetics.

TO READ FULL STORY,
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/03/BAGVGHHV1H1.DTL