In 2007, over 5 billion pounds of synthetic pesticides were sprayed, dusted, or coated on crops worldwide (EPA). The US uses 22% of the worldwide pesticides (about 1 billion pounds) to produce 4.3% of the world’s agricultural output. Each year, physicians diagnose 10,000 to 20,000 cases of poisoning among the 2 million farm workers in the US.
DDT was the leading pesticide until it was banned in 1972. It was replaced by a class of chemicals known as organophosphates. By 1990, organophosphates totaled 70% of all agricultural insecticides. They are used on cotton, alfalfa, and oranges. Chlorphyrifos is used on corn, grapes, oranges, apples, and almonds. These remain in the body up to a week. They were initially designed as nerve agents during World War I and operate by blocking acetylcholine neurotransmission. A 2009 study (American Journal of Epidemiology) looked at 368 people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and discovered that all had lived within 550 yards of farm fields that had been sprayed with pesticides for at least five years prior to their diagnosis. Mice exposed to the pesticides paraquat and maneb early in life display Parkinson’s-like neurodegeneration as they age.
In a 2006 a study performed at Emory University (Chensheng Lu), 23 schoolchildren were first given regular food and organophosphate metabolites appeared in their urine. When the same 23 children were fed organic food, the organophosphate metabolites disappeared. Although the pesticide is found on the skin of the fruit or vegetables, it is best to wash all fruit and vegetables prior to eating them – even if you do not intend to eat the skin. Otherwise in the process of peeling the skin away, the pesticide can transfer to the fruit flesh and then be ingested. It is recommended that consumers buy organic for the ‘Dirty Dozen’ fruits and vegetables that are felt to carry the greatest pesticide burden …
Much of this information, I gained from an informative article written by Nikhil Swaminathan found in the September issue of Psychology Today. I encourage you to buy the magazine to read the entire story.
In a 2006 a study performed at Emory University (Chensheng Lu), 23 schoolchildren were first given regular food and organophosphate metabolites appeared in their urine. When the same 23 children were fed organic food, the organophosphate metabolites disappeared. Although the pesticide is found on the skin of the fruit or vegetables, it is best to wash all fruit and vegetables prior to eating them – even if you do not intend to eat the skin. Otherwise in the process of peeling the skin away, the pesticide can transfer to the fruit flesh and then be ingested. It is recommended that consumers buy organic for the ‘Dirty Dozen’ fruits and vegetables that are felt to carry the greatest pesticide burden …
- Apples
- Celery
- Sweet Bell Peppers
- Peaches
- Nectarines
- Strawberries
- Imported Grapes
- Potatoes
- Blueberries
- Lettuce
- Kale
- Spinach
Much of this information, I gained from an informative article written by Nikhil Swaminathan found in the September issue of Psychology Today. I encourage you to buy the magazine to read the entire story.
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