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Category: pesticides

Published on Leave a comment on Some Pesticides Are Linked to Prostate Cancer

Pesticides are once again in the news as being linked to cancer. A recent study found that 22 pesticides show direct associations with prostate cancer in the US, and 4 of these pesticides are associated with death from prostate cancer.

The Stanford Univ. researchers also found that the more these pesticides were used in a county-wide area, the greater the association with prostate cancer. They analyzed a total of 295 pesticides across US counties. One of the pesticides associated with prostate cancer is 2,4-D, which is commonly used on lawns as a weed-killer, for example in Feed and Weed products. [Note: it was also one of the 2 pesticides in Agent Orange).

Earlier studies also found a link with some of the pesticides and prostate cancer, including 2,4-D. But this study found a link with 19 more.

The four pesticides associated with death from prostate cancer are three herbicides (trifluralin, cloransulam-methyl, and diflufenzopyr) and one insecticide (thiamethoxam). But of these, only trifluralin is classed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a "possible human carcinogen". (Yes, current studies used to evaluate pesticides are inadequate)

Bottom line: Avoid the use of pesticides as much as possible. Organic methods or least toxic integrated pest management (IPM) is best. On lawns - embrace diversity and view weeds as wildflowers, and your lawn a bee habitat.

From Medical Xpress: Study reveals links between many pesticides and prostate cancer

Researchers have identified 22 pesticides consistently associated with the incidence of prostate cancer in the United States, with four of the pesticides also linked with prostate cancer mortality. The findings are published in Cancer. ...continue reading "Some Pesticides Are Linked to Prostate Cancer"

Published on Leave a comment on The US Government Helped Fund A Group Attacking Pesticide Critics

Now, this is wild, but it makes sense. A former executive of the giant pesticide company Monsanto started a consulting firm v-Fluence, which secretly profiled critics of pesticides and GMOs (genetically modified organisms). All to downplay the dangers of pesticides, to discredit environmentalists, and to undermine any anti-pesticide legislation in North America, Europe, and Africa.

And...drumroll... which was partly paid for by US taxpayer money. Yes, over $400,000. US taxpayers partly funded this covert campaign for services done by v-Fluence, such as "enhanced monitoring of critics" of "modern agriculture approaches" (genetically modified crops, conventional pesticides).

What?  How can this be? For years now, Big Business (pesticide industry) has had a huge influence over safety rules, research, and studies deemed "acceptable" at the EPA and other US government agencies. So v-Fluence profiled and attacked in-depth any critics of pesticides or a "threat" to their interests. Even the writers and food critics Michael Pollan and Mark Bittman - due to their support for organic farming and concerns with industrial farming.

Journalists from a number of groups, including the non-profit newsroom The Lighthouse and The Guardian, investigated the "private social network" called Bonus Eventus. This social network was set up by v-Fluence to counter resistance to pesticides and genetically modified (GM) crops, and to also denigrate organic and other alternative farming methods. [Organic farming does not use conventional pesticides, thus it would result in Monsanto and other pesticide companies losing $$.]

More than 30 current US government officials are on the membership list, most of whom are from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). At the least, this is a conflict of interest.

By the way, the problem with genetically modified foods is not the concept of genetic modification, but that it is used in a way that dramatically increases the amount of pesticides used. For example, growing Round-up Ready Corn (which means it is resistant to glyphosate) means that more Roundup is being used on the GMO corn than ever before, and this means consumers ultimately ingest more pesticides than ever before when eating products with corn in it. Such as cereal.

Excerpts from The Lighthouse: Poison PR

Paraquat is among the most toxic agricultural chemicals ever produced. It’s banned in the European Union, where the consequences of its use are still being felt, but in parts of the world it’s still being sold. This is made possible, in part, by an influence machine that works to suppress opposition to an $78 billion global industry.

A year-long investigation managed to penetrate a PR operation that casts those who raise the alarm, from pesticide critics to environmental scientists or sustainability campaigners, as an anti-science “protest industry,” and used US government money to do so. ...continue reading "The US Government Helped Fund A Group Attacking Pesticide Critics"

Published on Leave a comment on Some Pesticides Linked to Increased Risk of Stillbirth

Once again, another study found that being exposed to pesticides has harmful health effects. Of all sorts. A recent study found that pregnant women exposed to certain pesticides increases the risk of a stillbirth. In this case, exposure means living near (less than 1/3 mile) where certain pesticides have been used.

The pesticides linked to increased stillbirths when exposed to in the pre-conception period were: cyfluthrin (a pyrethroid), zeta-cypermethrin (a pyrethroid), pyrethroids as a class, organophosphates as a class, malathion, carbaryl and propamocarb hydrochloride. Exposure in the first trimester of pregnancy to the following pesticides were associated with stillbirths: fenpropathrin (a pyrethroid), permethrin (a pyrethroid), organophosphates as a class, acephate and formetanate hydrochloride.

This means living near a non-organic farm has increased risks to pregnancy and the baby, including stillbirth. Note that some of these are also commonly used residential pesticides, such as pyrethroids (used as insecticides, and especially by mosquito and tick services).  We shouldn't be surprised when pesticides applied to kill living things (e.g., insects) also have harmful effects on developing babies (also alive). [Some studies showing harmful effects of pesticides on pregnancy and the developing fetus (baby).]

From Medical Xpress: Pesticide exposure linked to stillbirth risk in new study

Living less than about one-third of a mile from pesticide use prior to conception and during early pregnancy could increase the risk of stillbirths, according to new research led by researchers at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center. ...continue reading "Some Pesticides Linked to Increased Risk of Stillbirth"

Published on Leave a comment on Eating Organic Foods Lowers Pesticide Levels In the Body

We all have some pesticide residues in our body, and the levels vary. One way that people are exposed to pesticides is from the foods they eat, specifically non-organic foods. Pesticides that people are exposed to can be measured in the blood and urine. 

A recent review of 72 scientific studies found that people who eat an organic diet have lower pesticide levels in their urine. (Other pesticide exposures are from the environment around us, for example, garden and lawn pesticides.)

The study authors specifically looked at pesticide residues and metabolites of common pesticides such as organophosphates, pyrethroids, 2,4-D, and glyphosate. The most commonly mentioned pesticide residue was from pyrethroids, with 34% of studies finding it in urine. Keep in mind that only a limited number of pesticide residues were looked for. In reality, people are exposed to many more in life, including from non-organic foods that they eat.

Looking at the studies, the researchers found a massive reduction in pesticide residues when an organic diet is adopted. For example, phenol and phosphonate herbicide levels drop 41% to 100% in the studies, and pyrethroid metabolites dropped 16% to 100% [Note: each study had different drops in pesticide residues.]

And yes, you want lower levels of pesticide residues in your body for health reasons. For example, pyrethroids have been associated with numerous health harms, including cancer, endocrine disruption, and reproductive effects.

Bottom line: To lower pesticide levels in your body, eat as many organic foods as possible.

Excerpts from Beyond Pesticides: Review of Pesticide Residues In Urine, Lower Concentrations With Organic Diet

 A literature review, published this month in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, explores levels of pesticide residues found in samples of human urine with environmental exposure and dietary intake and confirms prior findings about the benefits of an organic diet. Similar to past findings, lower concentrations of chemicals are detected in the urine of participants who report eating an organic diet. ...continue reading "Eating Organic Foods Lowers Pesticide Levels In the Body"

Published on Leave a comment on Pesticides Are Contributing To Bee Declines

For several years I've been reporting on the effects of pesticides on bees. Yes, it's all bad because pesticides kill bees. Commonly used pesticides such as pyrethroids that many view as "safe" kill bees. Pyrethroids are broad spectrum insect killers, which means they kill both beneficial bees and other pollinators, as well as potentially harmful insects (mosquitos).

A recent study confirmed that pesticides are a major reason that wild bee populations are significantly down in the US. The researchers found that bee species are about 43% down in areas of heavy pesticide use. They singled out pesticides (insecticides) such as neonicotinoids and pyrethroids as drivers of this bee species reduction. They pointed out that using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) or organic methods would help reduce pesticide use and so help with bee species populations.

This means that businesses (e.g., Mosquito Joe) that apply long-lasting pyrethroids throughout suburban yards and hedges in the US are contributing directly to bee species reduction.

Other studies found that applying pesticides (no matter what kind) to lawns destroys bee populations and reduces the number of bee species. Think of lawns that are not treated with pesticides as having wildflowers, not weeds. These are bee habitats!

From Environmental Health News (EHN): Pesticides may be contributing to the disappearance of bees across the US

A recent study published in Nature Sustainability found that pesticide use may be a major factor in the decline of bee populations within the United States. ...continue reading "Pesticides Are Contributing To Bee Declines"

Published on Leave a comment on Brain Disease Cluster In Canada

The province of New Brunswick in Canada is home to a mysterious cluster of brain diseases in some of its residents - even in young persons in their 20s and 30s. The numbers of persons stricken (currently 430) with neurodegenerative brain diseases and dying is growing, and at this time no one knows exactly why this is happening.

One possibility is pesticide exposure, especially the pesticide (herbicide) glyphosate. Glyphosate is heavily used in the province in the forest industry, which is also a main industry. The herbicide is heavily used in clear cuts and tree plantations.

Lab tests found incredibly high levels of the pesticide glyphosate in the persons with the neurological symptoms. But after these results were revealed, the provincial government basically shut all research down. A doctor who was instrumental in bringing attention to this mysterious brain disease cluster was muzzled. Uh oh... a political and industry cover up?

The NY Times did an in-depth investigation, and the article written by Greg Donohue makes for fascinating reading.  They All Got Mysterious Brain Diseases. They're Fighting to Learn Why.

The article pointed out that recent studies have shown that glyphosate crosses the blood-brain barrier, and that chronic exposure can lead to neurological inflammation that can trigger Alzheimer’s disease. There is a link between glyphosate and an increased risk for Parkinson's disease and other health problems, including cancer.

A further discussion of that investigation and the role of pesticides (glyphosate) in brain diseases. Good list of references for more information. Excerpts from Beyond Pesticides: One Of World's Largest Dementia Clusters In Young People May Be Tied To High Blood Levels Of Glyphosate

A piercing investigative article in the August 14 New York Times by journalist Greg Donahue reveals the abandonment of a group of brain disease patients in an area of Canada with forestry management for paper products, agriculture, and large amounts of pesticide use, including glyphosate. ...continue reading "Brain Disease Cluster In Canada"

Published on Leave a comment on Slow Death For A Pollinator
Dying pollinator

There was a rare sighting of an insect pollinator in my yard recently. Unfortunately, it was dying. I suspect that pesticides were the cause of the slow death.

The ordinary person has no clue how damaging pesticide applications on their lawns and plants can be to insects living nearby. To pollinators (e.g., bees and wasps). To entire insect and bird ecosystems.

On the day I saw the dying insect pollinator, an immediate neighbor had not one, but two pesticide applications by two different services in one day! One service was for their lawn, and the second one was for mosquitos (using pyrethroid and cypermethrin insecticides) with a device that looks like a leaf blower. This device is held at waist-height (a high volume application).

Soon after that I found the dying, but still twitching, pollinator on the hood of my car (close to the property line). As I've discussed before, since the neighbor started mosquito pesticide applications 2 years ago, I rarely see a bee, wasp, or butterfly in my organic yard. At most, maybe one bee every 2 months? Before that, there were many daily.

The mosquito applications are done using cypermethrin and pyrethroid insecticides (which are synthetic pesticides, e.g., made by Fendona). Pyrethroids are known to be highly toxic to pollinators such as bees and wasps, and there is growing evidence of harms to humans (here, here).

Of course, when pesticides are applied, they drift and travel to non-target neighboring areas. It's sad. But totally legal.

Published on Leave a comment on Where Are the Hummingbirds?
Cardinal flowers    Credit: M. Silgailis

Hummingbirds like the red Cardinal flower (also called lobelia). Really like them. Butterflies also swarm to these flowers. Usually.

But not always. Since an immediate neighbor started using a mosquito service that uses high-volume pesticide applications of a synthetic pyrethroid (think of a leaf blower on steroids), there has been an absence of butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds in my garden. Other people also report this happening.

Even though the synthetic pyrethroids (e.g., Fendona) are not neonicotinoids, which we know kills bees - pyrethroids are also toxic to bees. Pyrethroids are broad-spectrum insecticides - that is, they kill a wide variety of insects indiscriminately. This totally destroys the biodiversity of species in the environment. We need bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other species!

But what are the pesticides doing to humans? Developing children? The developing fetus? Sick people? Everyone? Yes, there is accumulating evidence of health harms to humans, especially children and babies.

Published on Leave a comment on Bees and Butterflies Now Missing From Yards

This year a number of persons reported to me that when their neighbors started with mosquito and tick control pesticide applications, they no longer have bees or butterflies in their yards. Even if they have lots of bee and butterfly friendly flowers, or lots of clover - they now rarely or never see bees and butterflies. This has also been my experience.

As I reported last year, this is because mosquito/tick services use pesticides that are highly toxic to bees and butterflies. The applicators hold pesticide sprayers at waist height that spray insecticides out at high volume, and usually walk along a property 's perimeter spraying. Looks like leaf blowers blowing out pesticides!

Typically pyrethroid and cypermethrin insecticides (e.g. made by Fendona) are used. These are broad-spectrum (kill many species, including bees), microencapsulated, long-lasting (up to 90 days) pesticides, and applications are usually every 3 weeks. So it's actually an over-application of the pesticides.

I observed an applicator walking along a neighbor's yard perimeter applying the insecticides at waist height directly into my hedges (yes, it is obvious to the applicator that they are on my property). As he walked along, I could see the hedges violently shaking from the high volume application.

By the way, that is a deliberate non-target application of pesticides, which is against the law in my state. But it's what these companies do with impunity - go look at their web-site photos. By the way, pesticide contamination of adjacent properties will always be a problem in suburban yards with this kind of application.

Bees are pollinators, and unfortunately they are in serious decline in the United States. Pesticides are a big cause. Pesticides, including pyrethroids, also have numerous health effects on humans - none of them good. Especially worrisome is exposure during pregnancy or in young children.

Interestingly, others and I have also noticed that bird species that were common in our yards no longer visit once a neighbor starts with the mosquito and tick pesticide applications. Hummingbirds, gold finches, black-capped chickadees, juncos, robins, song sparrows and other birds - all are now missing from yards.

Published on Leave a comment on Common Pesticide Found In Human Semen
Sperm Credit: Wikipedia

Pesticides stick around in the environment and in humans. Thus, it shouldn't be a surprise that a recent study found the pesticide glyphosate in men's sperm.

Glyphosate (also known as Roundup) is the most commonly used herbicide (weed-killer) in the world. It is used on both genetically modified crops (Roundup Ready crops), as well as conventional crops. [It is not allowed to be used on organic crops.] This means we ingest glyphosate when we eat nonorganic foods, when we breathe air that is contaminated with glyphosate (from applying the product or from nearby applications), or we get it on our skin.

In the study, 128 men with fertility problems had their blood and seminal fluid analyzed. Glyphosate was detected in the blood of 72 of the men, and in these men glyphosate was also detected in the seminal fluid (semen). Surprisingly, glyphosate levels were 4 times higher in the seminal fluid than in the blood!

Smokers had blood and seminal plasma concentrations twice as high as non-smokers, and workers on farms had higher levels than non-farm jobs (e.g., transport, communication, finance). The person with the highest glyphosate concentration was a farmer. They also found that in this study there was no difference in the sperm concentration, movement, or shape/abnormal forms between men with or without glyphosate in the blood.

However, oxidative stress was shown to be higher in men with glyphosate in the blood and seminal fluid. Oxidative stress is known to have harmful effects on sperm (e.g., injures mitochondria, sperm dysfunction). Thus, the researchers concluded that glyphosate has a negative effect on male reproductive health.

To lower your glyphosate levels: Your levels can be reduced within days by switching to an organic diet. Also, don't use Roundup for weed control. If possible, use non-toxic alternatives in your yard (e.g, vinegar, boiling water, burn weeds with a Dragon torch, hand weed, or accept weeds as "wildflowers").

Excerpts from Beyond Pesticides: Presence Of Weed Killer Glyphosate In Human Sperm Elevates Debate On Pesticide Threats To Human Survival

A study published in the most recent edition of the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety documents for the first time the presence of the herbicide glyphosate in human sperm. The study looked at 128 French men with an average age of 36 years who tested positive for glyphosate in their blood. ...continue reading "Common Pesticide Found In Human Semen"