Common Pesticides Damaged DNA in Human Gut Cells — Even at Very Low Doses, New Study Finds

Scientists from the SPRINT project in the EU tested ten pesticides that are widely used on European farms — including the herbicide glyphosate, several insecticides, and a few fungicides — to see whether they damage DNA in human intestinal cells grown in the lab. They also tested two realistic “cocktails” made by combining several of these pesticides together, since in real life people are rarely exposed to just one chemical at a time.

The peer-reviewed results proved that most of the pesticides caused DNA damage, and some did so at concentrations far lower than previously reported — in some cases close to the levels regulators currently consider “safe” for everyday exposure.

“The findings from the SPRINT project highlighted the ubiquitous presence and the toxic effects of pesticide mixtures, even at low doses,” stated Dr. Daniele Mandrioli, Principal Investigator and Leader of the SPRINT Toxicology Working Group.