Recent studies link the popular neonicotinoid pesticides created by Bayer’s Crop Science Division to honeybee decline, as well as to the reduction of birds, bats, butterflies, and wildlife.

 

One such neonicotinoid, imidacloprid is used widely in insecticide products, agriculture and lawn care products, and in flea collars for dogs and cats. According to the National Pesticide Information Center, “Products containing imidacloprid come in many forms, including liquids, granules, dusts, and packages that dissolve in water. Imidacloprid products may be used on crops, houses, or used in flea products for pets. There are over 400 products for sale in the United States that contain imidacloprid.”

Pesticide exposure is not one dimensional nor should it be dismissed as trivial. To get a sense of the extent that pesticides leach into our environment please see this chart reflecting over 117 pesticides identified through water quality monitoring on Long Island. Water contamination of this sort is occurring everywhere throughout America, moreso in agricultural areas.

It may take years to see the harm to our health from pesticides’ many routes of exposure, but does that mean we can simply ignore information we have today? Is it not in our best interest to use precaution? To get an idea of just how many human diseases are related to pesticides, please see this report. By reducing pesticide use we can prevent further contamination of our environment and possibly prevent unwanted diseases. If you think that may be a worthwhile endeavor, please do your part in reducing to zero the pesticides you use in your yard and in your home.

The tragedy of pesticides is not new but has been continuing since chemical pesticides were first used on a wide scale following WWII.  Alarm bells were sounded way back in 1962 by Rachel Carson whose timeless book Silent Spring still rings true today.

“These insecticides are not selective poisons; they do not single out the one species of which we desire to be rid. Each of them is used for the simple reason that it is a deadly poison. It therefore poisons all life with which it comes in contact: the cat beloved of some family, the farmer’s cattle, the rabbit in the field, and the horned lark of the sky. These creatures are innocent of any harm to man. Indeed by their very existence they and their fellows make his life more pleasant. Yet he rewards them with a death that is not only sudden but horrible. Scientific observers at Sheldon described the symptoms of a meadowlark found near death: “Although it lacked muscular coordination and could not fly or stand, it continued to beat its wings and clutch its toes while lying on its side. Its beak was held open and breathing was labored.” Even more pitiful was the mute testimony of the dead ground squirrels, which exhibited a characteristic attitude in death. The back was bowed, and the forelegs with the toes of the feet tightly clenched were drawn close to the thorax…the head and neck were outstretched and the mouth often contained dirt, suggesting that the biting animal had been biting at the ground.  By acquiescing in an act that can cause such suffering to a living creature, who among us is not diminished as a human being?”

Long Term Diseases related to Pesticide Exposure:

• Alzheimer’s
• Asthma
• Birth Effects
• Cancer
• Brain Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Prostate Cancer
• Other Cancers
• Development and Learning Disorders
• Autism
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Diabetes
• Parkinson’s
• Reproductive Health Effects

 

More links:

BBC NEWS: Bird decline ‘smoking gun’ for pesticide’s effects

ORGANIC CONSUMERS: Pesticides in GMOS are killing the Bees, Butterflies, Birds…

ROLLING STONE: What Is Killing America’s Bees and What Does It Mean for Us?

SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE: Popular Pesticides Linked to Drops in Bird Populations

PESTICIDES CONTAMINATING WATER SUPPLIES

Photo courtesy of the Department of the Interior, http://www.doi.gov.

SOLUTIONS

• Avoid pesticides.
• Beware of fertilizers especially weed and feed varieties that contain pesticides like Atrazine, these chemicals easily leach into our groundwater/drinking water sources
• Protect your and your family’s health as well as your pets and all animals by reducing to zero all pesticide use.
• Natural lawn care tips, click here
• Natural nontoxic home pesticides click here
• Natural nontoxic mosquito and bug repellent, consider buying California Baby’s Natural Bug Repellant or make your own, click here
• Contact the EPA and your representatives, lets get these toxins banned.

 

A Votre Santé