Can Pesticide Use Increase Birth Defects?

According to recent research by Winchester (2009), conceiving a baby in spring and early summer might increase the risk of various birth defects such as spina bifida, cleft palate, and Down syndrome.

The reason for this, Winchester (2009) argues, might be high pesticide levels in ground water in spring and summer due to crop dusting. This of course is not only a local phenomena but the research suggest that pesticide use might play a role in birth defects nationwide.