Latest news with #Glyphosate
The Hindu
21 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
The organic imperative
Organic food is often derided as being expensive, which it can be, and elitist, which it isn't, the focus in such categorisation being on the consumer. Yet, there is little understanding of the systemic and human consequences of conventional agriculture, as chemical-centric farming is termed. For instance, there is little acknowledgement of what a farming family endures in their daily life when supplying the market with produce that is grown with a cocktail of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides and the unintended consequences of having these poisons lying around in the farm or their home. The agrochemical stores that sell these products almost never offers safety gloves or advise the farmer on personal safety. The safe-application dosage is provided in gross — and, I would argue, negligent — approximation. As a consequence, it is common to see farm hands fill up the sprayer with water, add the chemical — often a deadly poison — with bare hands, load the tanks on their back and spray without any sort of protective covering. While some crops require less sprays, others, such as cotton, demand heavy dosages of pesticides and the outcome is expected, if depressing. Since everyone uses these chemicals with little caution, it is seen as the norm and not unusual in the least. Young farmers taking to the profession follow suit which is particularly disheartening to see, for it is highly probable that the deleterious effects of regular usage — disruption of the endocrine system, genetic damage, alteration to the functioning of the pituitary gland, fertility and birth defects, cancers, lung ailments, autoimmune conditions, among others — will visit them in some years. The choices of chemicals available in the nearby agrochemicals shop and toxicity of 'crop protection' products, as the basket of pesticides is euphemistically referred to, are utterly frightening to contemplate: weedicides such as Glyphosate, considered to be a possible carcinogen, were introduced in India a couple of decades ago and are used widely as a substitute to manual labour in weed control, broadening the number of highly dangerous chemicals farmhands will be exposed to. The impact of these chemicals on wildlife — insects, birds, mammals, reptiles — is now known as a result of well-documented published research, yet the learnings have been ignored in the making of policy decisions, even when the effect on human food supply is likely to be acutely affected in future. As an example, it is known that neonicotinoids, a class of systemic insecticides widely used in agriculture and veterinary medicine to control pests, are dangerous neurotoxic chemicals for bees and other pollinators, yet few countries around the world are able to fend off the lobbying efforts of the pesticide industry and ban them. Corrupting the food chain It is now also understood that chemical fertilizers and pesticides leach into groundwater, streams, lakes and rivers, affecting the aquatic biota and the food chain all the way to mammals. A pioneering study done over 30 years ago found that organochlorine pesticide residues were determined in otter faeces from nine catchment regions in southwestern England from 1989 to 1991. Following the scientific principle of bio-accumulation (accumulation of a pollutant like a pesticide in tissues of a living organism), humans are likely to be affected, particularly in the less-developed countries where water treatment at the municipality level is shoddy or non-existent. The environmental media and NGOs have challenged the pesticide industry and rightly asked hard questions, despite little support from the regulators. Yet, there are further troubling questions: what happens to an empty pesticide bottle or packet? The anecdotal answers are worrying. Take bottles: instances of farmers living close to streams rinsing these bottles in stream water to use the 'last drop' in their sprayer are well known, which, in turn, releases toxicity into the stream and ultimately into the human body, as species such as fish and crabs are consumed. There is an active plastic recycling economy, in which aggregators visit farms and buy such used bottles which are then sent to be recycled to another product. When we consider the fumes breathed in and the exposure to toxins by thousands of poor workers in the informal recycling sector as these bottles are melted or converted into plastic chips, the supply chain and its unintended consequences becomes clearer. None of this is documented or even satisfactorily understood, nor is there any ongoing study that could provide clues to the scale and insidiousness of the problem. Buying organic food is perhaps the optimal solution, as increasing demand from consumers will encourage the transition for some farmers, either individually or as farmer producer organisations, to sustainable ways of farming. The valid question often asked is about the genuineness of the organic produce we see online or on shelves. The purchase of products with organic certification is one solution, yet a better way is to read up about organic movements and farmers and to seek out those who farm organically because of their beliefs and value systems while ensuring healthy profits; social media has enough leads to offer. Many of us desire to make a social impact, perhaps by supporting an indigent student, a local NGO near our homes or a waste collection effort. What is perhaps not entirely evident is that becoming an organic food consumer is perhaps the most sustained contribution we could make to the environment and, on a larger and broader canvas, to society.
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First Post
a day ago
- Health
- First Post
What's really on your plate? How pesticide residues could increase your cancer risk
Scientific studies link long-term exposure to pesticide residues in food with increased cancer risk, especially for vulnerable groups. Experts highlight the importance of washing produce, choosing organic options and advocating safer farming. Policy reforms and farmer education are crucial for reducing pesticide misuse and ensuring food safety, protecting both health and the environment. read more Scientific evidence indicates that long-term exposure to pesticide residues in food can increase the risk of certain cancers, say leading medical and agricultural experts. While the risk to a single consumer from low-level exposure is generally low, chronic consumption, especially of produce with high pesticide loads can have cumulative health effects. Explaning the complex relationship between pesticide residues and cancer risk. Dr. Nitesh Rohatgi, Senior Director of Medical Oncology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, (Gurugram), said, 'Yes, scientific research indicates a potential relationship between chronic exposure to certain pesticide residues in food and the heightened risk of developing some forms of cancer,' he told Firstpost. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'While risk to a single consumer from low-level exposure via diet is generally found to be low, chronic consumption over years, particularly of commodities with high pesticide loads, can cumulatively lead to health problems.' Pesticides, he said, are intended to kill or repel pests, but some chemical constituents can disrupt biological processes in humans. 'Some pesticides are endocrine disruptors, genotoxic (toxic to DNA), or immunotoxic, which can cause cellular alterations and enhance cancer risk in the long run.' He pointed out that the World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has categorised several pesticides as 'possibly' or 'probably' carcinogenic to humans based on epidemiological and animal evidence. Dr. Rohatgi added that certain groups—farm workers and people living in high pesticide-use areas face increased risk through direct occupational exposure. 'For the general population, particularly when exposure is through food residues, the evidence continues to be investigated, and the risk, although real, is still regarded as relatively modest compared to other cancer risks such as tobacco smoking, alcohol, obesity, and infectious agents.' He identified specific pesticides linked to carcinogenicity: Glyphosate, a widespread herbicide, is classified by IARC as 'probably carcinogenic to humans' (Group 2A) based on its association with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in occupational exposures. However, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has concluded it is not carcinogenic at dietary exposure levels, a point of ongoing scientific debate. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Malathion and Diazinon, both organophosphate insecticides, are classified as 'probably carcinogenic' by IARC, with malathion linked to prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Chlorpyrifos, another organophosphate insecticide, is under regulatory scrutiny for developmental and neurological toxicity, though it is not formally classified as carcinogenic by IARC. DDT, although banned in most countries, still persists environmentally and is considered 'probably carcinogenic' by IARC with links to liver and breast cancers. 'Trace amounts of these pesticides can be found on fruits, vegetables, and cereals depending on agricultural practices and regulatory standards in different countries,' said Dr. Rohatgi. On practical steps, Dr. Rohatgi advised consumers to minimize pesticide exposure with several measures. 'Rinse fruits and vegetables well—running water can remove surface residues. Soaking produce in a baking soda solution (1 tsp per 2 cups of water) for 10–15 minutes might take away even more residues.' He recommended peeling certain items such as apples, cucumbers, and potatoes, though he noted this may reduce nutrient content. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He also suggested buying organic produce when possible, especially for items on the 'Dirty Dozen' list known for high pesticide residues, such as strawberries, spinach, and apples. Diversifying one's diet and consulting local pesticide residue reports from food safety agencies are further ways to reduce risk. 'Finally,' he said, 'promoting safer agriculture practices such as integrated pest management (IPM) and organic farming, along with stricter pesticide regulations, can lead to long-term improvements.' Dr. Pushpinder Gulia, Director of Surgical Oncology and Robotic Oncosurgery at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, echoed these concerns. 'Long-term exposure to certain pesticide residues in food has been linked to an increased risk of cancer in several epidemiological and laboratory studies,' he said. He emphasised that while regulatory bodies set maximum residue limits (MRLs) considered 'safe,' cumulative exposure can still pose risks, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and farmworkers. Dr. Gulia highlighted commonly found pesticides with carcinogenic potential: 'Glyphosate is used in crops like corn and soy; chlorpyrifos is an insecticide in fruits and vegetables; malathion and diazinon are insecticides used in agriculture; and atrazine is a herbicide used in corn fields.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He advised consumers to make smart food choices: 'Buy organic, particularly for high-residue items. Choose locally grown produce from smaller farms that often use fewer chemicals. Wash and peel fruits and vegetables thoroughly—washing under running water helps, and peeling removes residues but also some nutrients.' For washing, Dr. Gulia recommended 'soaking in a 10% vinegar solution or baking soda wash (1 tsp baking soda per 2 cups water) for 15 minutes to remove surface residues.' He added that cooking or blanching may reduce some residues but can also diminish nutrients. To further reduce risks, he urged diet diversification: 'Rotate the types and sources of produce to avoid repeated exposure to the same pesticides and balance nutrient intake.' On the regulatory and policy front, Dr. R.G. Agarwal, Chairman Emeritus of Dhanuka Agritech Limited, said India needs a robust policy framework to monitor and regulate pesticide use effectively. 'Modernising the outdated Insecticides Act of 1968 is critical to align regulations with current scientific knowledge and pest control methods,' he said. 'Strengthening registration and licensing with rigorous health and environmental risk assessments will help remove dangerous, spurious, and unapproved products.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dr. Agarwal stressed the importance of strict penalties to discourage violations and the immediate phase-out of extremely hazardous pesticides, especially those banned internationally. He cautioned against misconceptions that scientifically approved pesticides inherently cause cancer. 'The threat comes from misuse, unapproved products, or excessive application, not from proper use of qualified products.' He called for farmer education on safe pesticide handling, integrated pest management, and bio-pesticides. 'Effective enforcement, transparent labeling, availability of protective equipment, and stakeholder coordination are essential to protect health and make agriculture sustainable.' Dr. Agarwal also emphasised training dealers and distributors to promote responsible pesticide use and provide accurate recommendations to farmers, ensuring safety in the field.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pesticide in food that's 'making America sick again' may get free pass
A bill waiting on the desk of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has drawn criticism from those supporting the "Make America Healthy Again" movement, who claim it would impede lawsuits against pesticide companies. Georgia SB 144 would "clarify that a manufacturer cannot be held liable for failing to warn consumers of health risks above those required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency with respect to pesticides," reads the bill. Emma Post, a spokesperson for MAHA Action based in Los Angeles, told Fox News Digital, "The bill is literally making America sick again." 'Food Is Medicine' Takes Shape As Rfk Jr. Praises School Menu Changes In West Virginia The legislation comes as Bayer Monsanto, producer of the Roundup weed killer, was ordered last week by a Georgia jury to pay nearly $2.1 billion in damages to a man who says the product caused his cancer, according to reports. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long been a vocal critic of Roundup, working with his legal team in 2018 to award $289 million to a man who alleged the weed killer caused his non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Read On The Fox News App Glyphosate, a pesticide used in products such as Roundup, has been shown to raise cancer risk in studies. In a study published in the journal Mutation Research, University of Washington researchers found that exposure to the pesticide raises the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma by 41%. Kelly Ryerson, founder of Glyphosate Facts and owner of the Instagram account @glyphosategirl, told Fox News Digital that her journey researching the herbicide began with her own health struggles. For more Health articles, visit Ryerson, who is based in California, previously struggled with chronic illness and autoimmune issues, which she said improved when she stopped eating gluten. After attending a medical conference at Columbia University's Celiac Disease Center, Ryerson began to question modern farming practices rather than the gluten itself. "A lot of times, farmers are spraying Roundup on our grains right before harvest to facilitate an easier harvest," said Ryerson. "After that easier harvest, because everything's dry at the same time, those crops go directly to the mill and may end up in our food supply, at really alarmingly high levels." Ryerson said she has been advocating against "pesticide liability shields" such as the bill in Georgia. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "This is a terrifying thing." She added, "All of those victims will not be able to sue." Amid concerns about fertility, Ryerson said she brought three sperm samples to a lab to be tested, and glyphosate was present. "It crosses the blood-test barrier. It is also shown to kill sperm," she cautioned. "So now when you're eating that every single day, which we all are, because it's ubiquitous — it's in the water. It's in the food, it's in the air. We can't avoid it." Multiple studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals have found that glyphosate can harm sperm quality. Everything To Know About Maha Farmers Dana and Lauren Cavalea of Freedom Farms in Greene, New York, told Fox News Digital that they don't use any chemicals in their fields. "We use the animals to restore and regenerate the land," said Lauren Cavalea. "[There are] other things that are outside of our control," Dana Cavalea added. For instance, "if you have folks nearby who are using chemicals … there's a chance they [will] get into your ground." He went on, "You have a lot of people who are financially distressed, trying to keep their farms going. In order to create max production, we have to use these remedies that have been provided to us in order to create mass production." Utah Bans Fluoride From Public Drinking Water, Aligning With Maha Movement He noted that it is a complicated yet simple system, and that he hopes to see things change amid the MAHA movement. A spokesperson for Monsanto/Bayer — maker of Roundup — said in a statement to Fox News Digital that the verdict in the recent Georgia case "conflicts with the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence and the consensus of regulatory bodies and their scientific assessments worldwide." Following scientific assessments in 2023, the European Union Commission re-approved glyphosate for another 10 years. "We continue to stand fully behind the safety of Roundup products — critical tools that farmers rely on to produce affordable food and feed the world," added the Monsanto spokesperson. Fox News Digital reached out to the EPA and Gov. Kemp's office for article source: Pesticide in food that's 'making America sick again' may get free pass
Fox News
01-04-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Pesticide in food that's 'making America sick again' may get free pass
A bill waiting on the desk of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has drawn criticism from those supporting the "Make America Healthy Again" movement, who claim it would impede lawsuits against pesticide companies. Georgia SB 144 would "clarify that a manufacturer cannot be held liable for failing to warn consumers of health risks above those required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency with respect to pesticides," reads the bill. Emma Post, a spokesperson for MAHA Action based in Los Angeles, told Fox News Digital, "The bill is literally making America sick again." The legislation comes as Bayer Monsanto, producer of the Roundup weed killer, was ordered last week by a Georgia jury to pay nearly $2.1 billion in damages to a man who says the product caused his cancer, according to reports. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long been a vocal critic of Roundup, working with his legal team in 2018 to award $289 million to a man who alleged the weed killer caused his non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Glyphosate, a pesticide used in products such as Roundup, has been shown to raise cancer risk in studies. In a study published in the journal Mutation Research, University of Washington researchers found that exposure to the pesticide raises the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma by 41%. Kelly Ryerson, founder of Glyphosate Facts and owner of the Instagram account @glyphosategirl, told Fox News Digital that her journey researching the herbicide began with her own health struggles. For more Health articles, visit Ryerson, who is based in California, previously struggled with chronic illness and autoimmune issues, which she said improved when she stopped eating gluten. After attending a medical conference at Columbia University's Celiac Disease Center, Ryerson began to question modern farming practices rather than the gluten itself. "A lot of times, farmers are spraying Roundup on our grains right before harvest to facilitate an easier harvest," said Ryerson. "After that easier harvest, because everything's dry at the same time, those crops go directly to the mill and may end up in our food supply, at really alarmingly high levels." Ryerson said she has been advocating against "pesticide liability shields" such as the bill in Georgia. "This is a terrifying thing." She added, "All of those victims will not be able to sue." Amid concerns about fertility, Ryerson said she brought three sperm samples to a lab to be tested, and glyphosate was present. "The bill is literally making America sick again." "It crosses the blood-test barrier. It is also shown to kill sperm," she cautioned. "So now when you're eating that every single day, which we all are, because it's ubiquitous — it's in the water. It's in the food, it's in the air. We can't avoid it." Multiple studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals have found that glyphosate can harm sperm quality. Farmers Dana and Lauren Cavalea of Freedom Farms in Greene, New York, told Fox News Digital that they don't use any chemicals in their fields. "We use the animals to restore and regenerate the land," said Lauren Cavalea. "[There are] other things that are outside of our control," Dana Cavalea added. For instance, "if you have folks nearby who are using chemicals … there's a chance they [will] get into your ground." He went on, "You have a lot of people who are financially distressed, trying to keep their farms going. In order to create max production, we have to use these remedies that have been provided to us in order to create mass production." He noted that it is a complicated yet simple system, and that he hopes to see things change amid the MAHA movement. A spokesperson for Monsanto/Bayer — maker of Roundup — said in a statement to Fox News Digital that the verdict in the recent Georgia case "conflicts with the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence and the consensus of regulatory bodies and their scientific assessments worldwide." Following scientific assessments in 2023, the European Union Commission re-approved glyphosate for another 10 years. "We continue to stand fully behind the safety of Roundup products — critical tools that farmers rely on to produce affordable food and feed the world," added the Monsanto spokesperson. Fox News Digital reached out to the EPA and Governor Kemp's office for comment.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
KRQE Newsfeed: Police car crash, Santa Fe crash update, Warm temperatures and rain, Weed killer update, Aggie Innovation Space
'Rust' trailer released more than three years after fatal on-set shooting New law giving bicyclists more freedom through intersections begins soon in New Mexico Have you seen this vehicle? Bicyclist injured during hit-and-run in Española Hazmat crew cleans up diesel fuel spill in southwest Albuquerque Laser technology helps discover previously unknown road at Chaco Culture National Historical Park [1] VIDEO: Stolen vehicle driver totals APD vehicle in crash with officer – The Albuquerque Police Department has released video of a crash invovling one of their officers. APD officers were in the area of Wyoming and Copper Tuesday night looking for a stolen vehicle. New video shows a police unit approaching the intersection on a green light when it was struck by the stolen car running the red light. Police have identified the driver as 39-year-old Andrew Sandoval, who was out of jail on probation following a buglary charge. [2] Driver of Santa Fe city vehicle hits and kills person sitting on bench – Santa Fe Police are identifying the man killed by a city employee earlier this week. Police say the victim, 75-year-old Harley Smit,h was waiting at a bus stop on Tuesday when he was hit by a vehicle driven by a city employee. The driver told police he accidentally backed up over the median at Santa Fe Place Mall, striking and killing Smith. [3] Few thunderstorms and warm temperatures expected for parts of New Mexico – Clouds are on the increase in Southern New Mexico with light rain showers, while they're not reaching the ground for most, are also falling part while moving to north because of dry air, but everywhere else north of I-40 is starting off mostly clear from clouds with light winds with even drier air with a few areas in the Rio Grande Valley to the south are experiencing one of the mildest mornings on this day in history; while northerly to westerly winds that are descending down the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are also providing a milder start compared to areas in the Western Mountains, the Four Corners, and the Northern Mountains, which are starting off mostly near or below the freezing mark. [4] Bernalillo County votes on update to glyphosate policy – After it was banned for six years over health concerns, Bernalillo County is once again allowing a weed-killing ingredient to be used in certain instances. On Tuesday, the county commissioners approved changes to its policy on glyphosate, which is used in products like Roundup. For the next year, the ingredient can be used in areas where weeds have become hard to manage. However, Glyphosate remains off-limits where other weed control methods can be used. [5] NMSU breaks ground on expansion for Aggie Innovation Space – Some new technology will be available to students and faculty at New Mexico State University. Thursday, organizers broke ground on the expansion of the Aggie Innovation Space, which will house two metal 3D printers, each worth a quarter of a million dollars. College leadership said this technology puts NMSU well above other universities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
