Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewedOrganic

Reduction in urinary organophosphate pesticide metabolites in adults after a week-long organic diet

Oates, L., et al

Environmental Research · 2014

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Summary

This 2014 intervention study examined whether a week-long organic diet could reduce systemic exposure to organophosphate pesticides, measured via urinary metabolite excretion in adults. The work suggests that dietary modification towards organic produce may provide a rapid reduction in detectable pesticide metabolites, though the study's brief duration and absent abstract limit confidence in effect durability and mechanistic interpretation. The findings contributed to emerging evidence that pesticide residues on conventionally grown food represent a measurable exposure pathway in adult populations.

Regional applicability

The study does not specify its geographic location, limiting direct applicability assessment. However, if conducted in a Western context with comparable dietary patterns and pesticide use to the United Kingdom, the findings would support public health messaging around organic food and pesticide exposure reduction—a topic of growing regulatory and consumer interest in UK food policy.

Key measures

Urinary organophosphate pesticide metabolites (specific metabolites not specified in title); pre- and post-intervention comparison

Outcomes reported

The study measured urinary concentrations of organophosphate pesticide metabolites in adults before and after a one-week organic diet intervention. Changes in metabolite levels were assessed to determine whether dietary switching reduces pesticide exposure.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Pesticides, contaminants & food safety
Study type
Research
Study design
Intervention study / Quasi-experimental
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
United Kingdom
System type
Organic systems
DOI
10.1016/j.envres.2014.03.021
Catalogue ID
IRmqh57rdp-6fff9c

Topic tags

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