Photo credit: AJC1

A new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives has found that exposure to particular pesticides can lead to allergy-induced wheezing and wheezing not associated with allergies. The study used data from over 22,000 men from Iowa and North Carolina who participated in the Agricultural Health Study. Study participants provided data on pesticides used and included additional personal information such as BMI, smoking or non-smoking, and asthma. Results suggest that 19 pesticides were significantly associated with an allergic wheeze and 21 pesticides were associated with a non-allergic wheeze.  Researchers also found evidence that as exposure to commonly used pesticides including 2,4-D, glyphosate, permethrin, carbaryl, and warfarin increased. so did the severity of the symptoms.