M8.3 Pesticides

My last night’s meal comprised beef over broken rice with mushrooms, bell peppers, and green onions. The salad had lettuce and tomatoes. According to the web site http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/, the non-organic beef has six pesticide residues- one known carcinogen, two suspected hormone disruptors, two developmental or reproductive toxins, and two honeybee toxins. The toxin DDE is often found 6.8% in beef. The non-organic onion has four known or probable carcinogens, 13 suspected hormone disruptors, four neurotoxins, five developmental or reproductive toxins, and ten honeybee toxins. Malathion is also found 6.3% often in green onions. The non-organic lettuce has three known or probable carcinogen, 17 suspected hormone disruptors, ten neurotoxins, eight developmental or reproductive toxins, and 14 honeybee toxins.

I think I consume the amount of pesticides found in the food as much I eat them. For example, if I would eat (which I do) two times a week of this meal then I get two times of the toxins every week. Human could reach level of toxicity through the pesticide residue in food eaten repeatedly. The toxic level of pesticides can cause neurotoxicity or confusions in insects, and so does in humans.

We in the public health arena must pursue for consumer health education about the harmful chemicals in food from the pesticides used on crops. Pesticide companies must be brought liable or accountable for health harm this pesticides cause. Crop pesticides must be monitored by USDA and environmental agencies for harmful toxins at a regular basis. If found unsafe, these products must be banned or taken off market. In addition, consumers must be warned of such harms through eye catching food labels. We can start public health awareness within our families, friends, schools, and social groups.