Neurophyto

The project

Prenatal and neonatal periods are windows of sensitivity to environmental chemical contaminants. A growing number of epidemiological and toxicological studies suggest that exposure to pesticides during these time periods could impact the health of children at birth and their development with possible long-term effects.

The first objective of the NEUROPHYTO project was to describe the exposure of 200 children from the national Elfe cohort to a wide range of phytosanitary products, from the in-utero period to 3 and a half years of age, by measuring exposure biomarkers in urine and hair. These new data makes it possible to draw up an assessment of prenatal to early childhood exposure to phytosanitary products in France.

An assessment of internal exposure, particularly at the level of target tissues such as the brain, was carried out using physiologically based toxicokinetic models for early childhood. Temporal evolution and inter-individual variability was considered during specific sensitivity windows in neurodevelopment.

Once these internal dose profiles had been established for children, two main components were be implemented in order to develop knowledge on the links between exposure and effects on neurodevelopment.

The first part was devoted to the implementation of an epidemiological approach based on the study of data on the neuropsychological and motor skill development of children in the Elfe cohort. Contrary to the classic approach using biomarker assays as exposure markers, associations was investigated from internal (blood) and target organ (brain) exposure measured and/or simulated by toxicokinetic modelling.

The second part was dedicated to improving mechanistic knowledge on the links between exposure to phytosanitary products and neurodevelopmental disorders, via innovative methodologies. Computational models were developed and adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) were proposed.

This project supported public policies by providing specific elements on pre- and post-natal windows of sensitivity as well as an analysis of existing toxicological reference values, including the proposal of values dedicated to the evaluation of the risks of neurodevelopmental effects in children.