Farm Pesticides & Crop Pollution Concerns
Concern About Food Chain Health Dangers Includes Cancer & Asthma
Oct 10, 2009
“Our government, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, allows 71 known carcinogenic pesticides to be sprayed on our food crops...poison is pervasive,” says Eileen Mericle Ames in a Des Moines Register newspaper article titled, “Pesticides Lead to Much Destruction.”
The Ames crop spraying article was published September 25, 2009, on Des Moines Register website. The U.S. newspaper is published in Des Moines, Iowa. The article is in response to a reader letter saying that “...she fears aerial crop spraying is injuring her family’s health.” The article can be found by typing the article title in the newspaper’s on-line search box.
EPA Pesticide Control & Food Security
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says, “EPA’s primary contribution to food security is through its program to regulate the use of pesticides. EPA is responsible for ensuring that the American public is protected...” The statement is from an EPA website (author unknown) 05/2007 article titled, “The EPA and Food Security.”
The EPA article states that before a pesticide is used on any crop, the pesticide must be approved by the EPA according to current government standards. The use of crop pesticides has dramatically increased crop yield and growing seasons, according to the article.
The EPA admits that pesticides leave residues on certain food commodities, and states the residues reduce over time due to food processing techniques. Also, the article says that limits are put on the amount of food residue allowable, and the frequency of pesticide use.
If the pesticide threshold for crops is not working, the EPA article claims they will choose “less risky pest controls” first. If the less risky controls do not work, then EPA will recommend “target spraying” of pesticides. “Broadcast” [widespread] application of pesticides is used “...as a last resort,” according to the article.
Natural Pesticides & Organic Pesticides
The EPA article claims to support the use or natural and organic pesticides to protect the food supply while causing “..the least destruction of the environment.” Biological pesticides, such as pheromones and microbial pesticides, are often safer than traditional pesticides, and the EPA claims to be increasingly registering these “reduced-risk” pesticides.
Chronic Diseases From Pesticides: Cancer & Asthma
“Opt for organic foods as much as possible to reduce your exposure to pesticides...” says a WebMD article titled, “5 Easy Steps to Prevent Disease and Illness.” The 02/04/2009 article, by Christopher Gavigan, is published on the WebMD website. The article also warns against use of home pesticides which, according to the article, can cause “...asthma...cancer...hyperactivity...learning disabilities...”
The WebMD article suggests using soapy water to kill ants, and boiling water to kill weeds. It warns against canned foods because they are “lined with a resin containing bisphenol-A." The 5 safety steps the article recommends are:
- Safer pest management.
- Use products that are non-toxic.
- Cleanup indoor air.
- Eat healthy organic foods.
- Wise use of plastics.
The Des Moines Register article voices concern that pesticides on crops, in addition to environmental pollution, is causing health problems due to the EPA allowing pesticides to be used. The EPA article states that the agency has to balance public health with protecting the food supply, and that they are registering more less dangerous pesticides. The WebMD article provides food consumer advice about protecting food from pesticides, and warns about the health risks of using these chemicals.
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