Exposure to flower pesticides may increase blood pressure in children and put them at the risk of hypertension, a study has found.
Researchers at University of California San Diego in the US found a link between higher blood pressure and pesticide exposures in children – especially heightened pesticide spraying period around the Mother's Day flower harvest, a holiday with one of the highest sales of flowers.
The study, published in the journal Environmental Research, involved boys and girls living near flower crops in Ecuador.
According to the researchers, Ecuador is among the largest commercial flower growers in the world, with significant rose exports to North America, Europe and Asia.
Commercial rose production relies on the use of insecticides, fungicides and other pest controls, but little is known about their human health effects.