EU says pesticides may harm human brains Matt McGrath
17 December 2013 Last updated at 14:04 ET
EU says pesticides may harm human brains Matt McGrath
By Matt McGrath
Environment correspondent, BBC News
Two neonicotinoid chemicals may affect the developing nervous system in humans, according to the EU.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) proposed that safe levels for exposure be lowered while further research is carried out.
They based their decision on studies that showed the chemicals had an impact on the brains of newborn rats.
One of the pesticides was banned in the EU last April amid concerns over its impact on bee populations.
Neonicotinoids are "systemic" pesticides that make every part of a plant toxic to predators.
They have become very popular across the world over the past two decades as they are considered less harmful to humans and the environment than older chemicals.
But a growing number of research papers have linked the use of these nicotine-like pesticides to a rapid fall in bee numbers.
More:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25421199