Scientists think they’ve found a connection between child deaths and the decline of bats.
At a glance:
- A new study links the decline in bat populations due to a deadly fungus with an 8% increase in infant mortality in affected counties, attributing the rise to increased pesticide use.
- Bats play a critical role in pest control, and their loss forces farmers to rely on toxic pesticides, which are linked to severe health complications such as cancer and developmental disorders.
- Researchers are urging for stronger policies to limit pesticide use as the harmful effects on human health, especially on infants, become clearer.
Researchers have made a troubling connection between declining bat populations and a rise in child deaths, according to a recent article published in The Guardian. This connection stems from the spread of a lethal fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which has decimated bat populations in the U.S. over the past two decades. The fungus, originally from Europe, can wipe out entire bat colonies within five years, and its broader impact on human health is now becoming more apparent.
A new study, published in Science, highlights the significant role bats play as natural pest controllers, feeding on insects that otherwise damage crops. As the bat population declined due to the fungus, farmers began relying more on pesticides to protect their crops. The increased pesticide use has been linked to an 8% rise in infant mortality in counties most affected by the decline in bats, translating to over 1,300 child deaths.
Bats are crucial in protecting our food supply by naturally controlling pests, but without them, farmers turn to chemical pesticides, which pose health risks. Pesticides are associated with a range of harmful effects, including cancer, neurological disorders, and developmental delays, according to reports from the European Environment Agency.
As more research reveals the harmful effects of increased pesticide use, scientists are advocating for stronger policies to reduce their application. They hope that these findings will prompt policymakers to take action to protect both wildlife and human health from the dangers of pesticide exposure.
We better be careful talking about bats. Remember when we discussed scientific matters involving bats back in 2020? That got us in a lot of trouble with Google…