Pesticides are widely used in food production and communities, despite increasing evidence of their negative impact on the environment and human health. The term “pesticides” covers a variety of chemicals, such as insecticides, herbicides, and substances that target bacteria or fungi, as classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Assessing the risks associated with pesticides is difficult due to many unknown factors and challenges in quantifying known risks. One area with limited research is the relationship between pesticide exposure and stillbirth. Researchers at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center conducted a study to investigate how maternal pesticide exposure during preconception and early pregnancy could affect stillbirth risk.
The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, analyzed data from Arizona’s pesticide use records and birth certificates from 2006 to 2020. The researchers focused on pyrethroids, organophosphates, and carbamates, finding significant associations between exposure to certain pesticides and an increased risk of stillbirth.
The EPA recently banned DCPA, a weedkiller linked to harmful effects on fetal health. The ban is crucial for protecting pregnant women and their unborn children from potential health issues. The decision to ban DCPA came after years of urging the manufacturer to provide data on its health effects, marking the first time in 40 years that the EPA has used its emergency authority to stop the use of a dangerous pesticide.
A study published in 2024 highlighted the increased risk of cancer in communities near agricultural areas due to exposure to pesticides. Atrazine, boscalid, dimethomorph, dicamba, dimethenamid, dinotefuran, glyphosate, and imazethapyr were identified as top contributors to cancer risk, comparable to the risk posed by smoking cigarettes. Finally, metolachlor, metolachlor-S, and the combination of both consistently ranked as top contributors for regions with higher added risk of all cancers, colon cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
The authors also pointed out that pesticides can travel through air and water, putting neighboring communities at risk. While the EPA’s ban on DCPA is a step in the right direction, it highlights the need for proactive measures to reduce exposure to other pesticides still prevalent in our environment, starting with how you choose and handle your produce.
When it comes to finding organic food, it’s important to understand the different labels outlined by the USDA. These labels range from 100% organic to specific organic ingredients, each with their own requirements. Knowing these labels is crucial as some companies have been caught falsely labeling conventionally grown products as organic.
To protect yourself, it’s essential to be a vigilant consumer. Visiting farmers markets, joining a CSA program, and growing your own food using sustainable methods are all ways to ensure you are getting organic, chemical-free produce.
Washing your produce properly is also key to reducing pesticide exposure. A study found that rinsing with running water was the most effective method, reducing pesticide levels by about 77%. Combining running water with boiling was also effective for cleaning vegetables.
For those living in urban areas without access to local farmers markets, there are online resources like the American Grassfed Association, EatWild.com, Weston A. Price Foundation, Grassfed Exchange, Local Harvest, and Farmers Markets to help you connect with reputable organic farmers and purchase their products. y Canadá.
Comunidad Involucrada en la Agricultura Sostenible (CISA) – CISA está dedicada a sostener la agricultura y promover los productos de pequeñas granjas.
El Instituto Cornucopia – El Instituto Cornucopia mantiene herramientas en línea que califican todas las marcas certificadas de huevos, productos lácteos y otros productos orgánicos, basados en sus prácticas de obtención ética y auténticas prácticas agrícolas, separando la producción “orgánica” de CAFO (operación de alimentación animal concentrada) de las prácticas orgánicas auténticas.
RealMilk.com – Si aún no estás seguro de dónde encontrar leche cruda, visita Raw-Milk-Facts.com y RealMilk.com. Te pueden decir cuál es el estado de legalidad en tu estado y proporcionar un listado de granjas lecheras en tu área. El Fondo Legal de Defensa del Consumidor también proporciona una revisión estado por estado de las leyes de leche cruda.21 Los residentes de California también pueden encontrar minoristas de leche cruda utilizando el localizador de tiendas disponible en RAW FARM.22