According to a new study, children that are exposed to common pesticides used on fruits and vegetables may face a higher risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The lead author, Maryse Bouchard of the Université de Montréal, a post-doctoral student at Harvard University emphasizes that the risk is prevalent, even if the exposure level is extremely low.

In the study, conducted in the U. S. Bouchard and her colleagues observed a sample of 1,139 children who were between the age group of 8 and 15 years.

They examined the measures of pesticide compounds, known as organophosphates, in the urine of the sample. They found out that the dangerous compounds were present in the urine of 94 % of the children.

Following the findings, Bouchard said that children that had higher residues of pesticide in their urine were prone to a higher risk of ADHD and the medications for the same were being taken by the children.

The study published in the journal Pediatrics, highlights that the exposure is harmful even at levels commonly found in children's environment.

She further says that the parents of these children said, they had admitted that their kids had learning difficulties and behavioral problems that included inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Bouchard added that,”The surprise was that the effect was noted even when the children showed low levels of pesticides. They had doubled the risk compared to those with no detectable levels of pesticide”.

However, the study does not determine how the children get exposed, but researchers speculate that the major source is diet and the environment.