On Wednesday, February 4, at 7:30pm in Morton Grove, just outside Chicago, world-renowned toxicology researcher, Warren Porter, Ph.D., will address the topic, "DO PESTICIDES AFFECT LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR?" The presentation is sponsored by the non-profit Nutrition for Optimal Health Association (NOHA), of which I (Dr. Mercola) am an Advisory Board member. .......

Dr. Porter states, "For years, both the government and pesticide manufacturers have assured us that, while pesticides are indeed lethal to insects, they are safe for humans. Our research at the University of Wisconsin, and national and global research by independent University scientists, strongly suggests otherwise."

For the past five years, Dr. Porter and his colleagues have found that even minute levels of pesticides can wreak havoc on the immune, reproductive, endocrine and nervous systems of rats and mice. "In addition," says Dr. Porter, "clinical and epidemiological studies have shown repeatedly that human beings living in heavily-pesticided geographical areas have higher levels of Parkinson's disease, various forms of cancer, behavioral and learning disorders. We cannot afford to raise a new generation of children with higher proportions of behavioral and learning disorders."

In his talk, Dr. Porter will provide a brief history of pesticides, why they can all be biologically active, what is known from the open literature, what has been discovered at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and - most important - will tell audience members how they can effectively kill insects and have healthy, beautiful lawns by using everyday substances that kill insects and weeds without harming people.

Dr. Porter, who has his Ph.D. in Physiological Ecology from UCLA, has been Professor of Zoology and Environmental Toxicology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison since 1986. A landmark five-year study conducted by him and his team at the University of Wisconsin concluded that combinations of commonly used agricultural chemicals in concentrations that mirror levels found in groundwater can significantly influence immune and endocrine systems, as well as neurological health in animals.

Their recent studies on a common lawn chemical mixture also suggest low-level effects on abortion and resorption of fetuses and other subtle biological effects. Dr. Porter's work has been cited in numerous publications and electronic media nationwide and globally. In addition, he has been given countless awards for his work. Dr. Porter continues to educate people about how current practices tend to hide the dangers of these chemicals from the public.

NOHA is a not-for-profit organization, which has been presenting nutritional lectures by outstanding authorities in the forefront of nutritional health and scientific research since 1972, and is dedicated to educating people about how to use nutrition to obtain optimal health through healthier food choices and preventive health care. NOHA offers lectures, classes and publications, as well as video and audiotapes of its past and present programs.

For information about this and other upcoming programs, please consult NOHA's website, or call (847)60HEALTH (that's 847-604-3258).