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Pesticides
- November 13, 2008 1:26 PM |
- By Your Voice
How safe are the pesticides used on your lawn? What is your food sprayed with? What impact can pesticides have on your family?
(Lee Reich/Associated Press)
Join us as an expert takes your questions on pesticide safety.
Dr. Khysar Pasha holds M.Sc., M.Phil and Ph.D degrees in Chemistry and is presently a Teaching Faculty at Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), Kelsey Campus, Saskatoon. He teaches
General Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Environment, Ethics and Society, Quality Assurance and Quality Control and Organic Chemistry.
Dr. Pasha took your questions on pesticides, read his responses below.
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Comments (6)
Are there specific classes of pesticides (eg. organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids etc.) that are considered to be more carcinogenic or mutagenic than other classes?
Dr. Khysar Pasha: In order to characterize carcinogenicity of pesticides in humans, International Agency for Research on Cancer has developed a protocol which was recently adopted by EPA and the classification is as follows: human carcinogen (Group A), probable human carcinogen (Groups B1 and B2), possible human carcinogen (Group C), not classifiable (Group D), or noncarcinogenic (Group E). Studies on animals revealed that organochlorines, creosote, and sulfallate cause cancer and DDT, chlordane, and lindane promote tumors.
There is no concrete evidence that one class of pesticides are more potent over the other class. Within the same class, often, various compounds exhibit varied physiological effects. For instance, organo phosphates – 1 show acute toxicity which may be highly variable (Parathion and sarin are very toxic compared to malathion). On the other hand organophosphates – 3 cause neurological disorders upon long term exposure.
1. Even if linkages are found between pesticides and cancer what are the chances that corporations will disclose the levels of pesticides used in our food and said items taken out of grocery stores?
2. What kinds of regulations are in place right now to regulate pesticide levels in the food we eat??
Dr. Khysar Pasha: There are a number of studies conducted on the analysis of various residual and contaminant pesticides in food products. Corporations are expected to comply with the legislation regulations and disclose the amounts of residual pesticides.
Food and Drug Act and Health Canada regulations have guidelines for Maximum Residual Limit (MRL) of pesticides in food products. There is an international agency, The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), to look after the standards of food trade globally. The mandate of this international agency is to protect the health of consumers and oversee the fair trade practices in food business and promote food safety standards.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/surveill/total-diet/concentration/pesticide_conc_whitehorse1998-eng.php
Is there evidence that lawn chemicals cause disease or syndromes in people?
What diseases or syndromes if any.are stimulated by lawn chemicals.
Which lawn chemicals are the most dangerous?
Dr. Khysar Pasha: There are a number of studies conducted on the effect of pesticides on human health and they are known to cause malignancy, lymphoma, leukemia, and various cancers, mutagenecity, decreased fertility, liver malfunction, nervous system disorders, cognitive impairment, asthma, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. People who are exposed to these chemicals become “chemical sensitive”.
The most common herbicides used for domestic purposes in Canada are not safe. There are approximately 30 commonly used lawn pesticides. Out of which 19 are carcinogens, 13 are linked to birth defects, 21 with reproductive effects, 15 with neurotoxicity, 26 with liver or kidney damage, 27 are sensitizers and/or irritants, and 11 have the potential to disrupt the endocrine (hormonal) system. These chemicals cause immune-suppression and enhance the susceptibility to cancer in pregnant women and young children.
Mancozeb and chlorothalonil (lawn pesticides) have been found to cause cancer in experimental animals. Therefore, EPA has classified these chemicals as potential cancer causing agents in humans. Mancozeb was found to form a new compound in the presence of sunlight. EPA has labeled this chemical as a known human carcinogen. A commonly used lawn pesticide 2,4-D was shown to increase the risk of lymphatic cancer in farmers six times the normal rate, according to a National Cancer Institute report. (Sinclair, W. 18 Studies Show Why Pesticides Are More Dangerous than Previously Realized. Tampa, Florida)
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Environment/RATE/royfox1.html
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/lawn/factsheets/facts&figures.htm
Pesticide use is higher and environmental standards are lower in the Third World. What health issues are revealed by studies conducted on Third World farmers and plantation workers?
Is the incidence of disease significantly higher among people who work in pesticide manufacturing plants?
Dr. Khysar Pasha: In China for example, many pesticides are used freely which resulted in toxic effects in tens of thousands of users. These people are suffering acute and chronic health impacts as a result of exposure to pesticides.
The public may be exposed to pesticides as a result of the spray in the fields. It may contaminate food products and drinking water. Literature shows that there are increased cancer incidents in poorly protected employees who worked in pesticide industries. Thousands of people died spontaneously in the Indian city Bhopal when they were exposed to methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas, one of the ingredients used to make pesticide. People who survived are still suffering from chronic disorders.
http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?topic_id=1421&fuseaction=topics.item&news_id=225756
Is there any way to mitigate the effects of exposure to pesticides?
Dr. Khysar Pasha: Several methods are available to reduce the risk potential of pesticide contamination. These methods include use of full protective equipment while spraying preventing or reducing indoor contaminants, improved home hygiene and personal hygiene, such as removal of shoes at the door, vacuuming techniques, and washing of children's hands.
What type of cancers may/can develop from pesticides?
Dr. Khysar Pasha: Evidences in the literature reveal that pesticides cause cancers such as breast cancer, brain cancer, lung cancer, large intestine cancer, and prostrate cancer. lymphoma, leukemia. 2,4-D has also been linked to malignant lymphoma in dogs.