Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and young teens may be caused by a commonly used household pesticide, according to a recent study.

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center study found an association between pyrethroid pesticide exposure and ADHD, particularly in terms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, rather than inattentiveness.

"Given the growing use of pyrethroid pesticides and the perception that they may represent a safe alternative, our findings may be of considerable public health importance," researcher Tanya Froehlich said in a statement.

Following the ban of two most commonly used organophosphate (organic compounds containing phosphorus) pesticides from residential use in 2000-2001, the use of pyrethroid pesticides has increased significantly for residential pest control and public health purposes. They also are used increasingly in agriculture.

For the study, researchers analyzed data on nearly 700 children between the ages of 8 and 15 years old.

They found that the association was stronger in boys than in girls.

Boys with detectable urinary 3-PBA, a biomarker of exposure to pyrethroids, were three times as likely to have ADHD compared with those without detectable 3-PBA. Hyperactivity and impulsivity increased by 50 percent for every 10-fold increase in 3-PBA levels in boys. Biomarkers were not associated with increased odds of ADHD diagnosis or symptoms in girls.

"Our study assessed pyrethroid exposure using 3-PBA concentrations in a single urine sample," Dr. Froehlich said. "Given that pyrethroids are non-persistent and rapidly metabolized, measurements over time would provide a more accurate assessment of typical exposure and are recommended in future studies before we can say definitively whether our results have public health ramifications."

The findings are detailed in the journal Environmental Health.