by Taetske | 1:46 pm
(Last Updated On: August 2, 2021)

Uncontrolled Dangers to Our Environment and Health

 

After World War II, the world was recoiling from the multiple nuclear explosions. People really thought that humankind could actually destroy our world. With questions about what we, as a species, were doing, people started questioning the absolute power of our political and corporate leaders to manufacture chemicals and promote them as beneficial to humankind.

 

Spraying pesticide

Spraying pesticide image Th G

 

Trying to better nature

Our corporate leaders had the hubris to think humans could improve anything that nature provided. Scientists created things like the drug thalidomide. This was manufactured by the German drug company, Chemie Grünenthal (1957), initially prescribed as a sedative and sometimes to cure anxiety and as an anti-nausea pill for the morning after sickness.

That did not turn out well at all. Because of the drug, babies were born with serious malformations. Still, we continued to develop more chemicals.

Many years earlier, they introduced us to the chemical DDT, which was supposed to be a wonder chemical to rid us of all those unwanted bugs. They made it available for use by the public in 1945. Then an American marine biologist, author, and conservationist by the name of Rachel Carson wrote a pivotal book called book Silent Spring and the environmental movement has been growing ever since.

 

A wake-up book for many

The author, Rachel Carson, prevails as one of the greatest nature writers in American letters. This is what Peter Matthiessen published in the Time’s article, “100 Most Influential People of the Century.” The chemical industry ruthlessly assaulted her in the year following the publication of Silent Spring.

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Silent Spring

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The beginning of EPA

The outcry from Rachel’s book in combination with other disastrous events led to the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 1970. With passaging the Clean Air Act (1970), the EPA had the authority to set goals and standards for the release of pesticides and herbicides into the environment.

In 1972, they required the EPA to measure every pesticide’s risks against its potential benefits. This act gave the EPA the authority to gather information on chemicals and require producers to test them, gave it the ability to regulate chemical production and use, and required the agency to create the National Inventory listing of chemicals.

Now, sadly, the EPA appears to be under new management.

 

The danger of Chlorpyrifos on your food

Among all the pesticides and herbicides that the EPA was supposed to evaluate was chlorpyrifos. Recently, I received a newsletter by an independent environmental organization called Environmental Working Group (EWG).

They asked if we realized that there are neurotoxic pesticides on fruits like peaches, apples, and cherries? This is a dangerous chemical and EWG supports a complete ban on chlorpyrifos. There is such a bill currently under consideration in the Senate. Grocery shops should stop supplying foods that might have residues of chlorpyrifos.

 

Be safe and buy organic

The best option would be to buy organic milk and produce. I hope you have that possibility nearby where you live. You should ask when visiting your weekly market if the product is pesticide-free. Perhaps you can even visit an organic farmer in your neighborhood and buy it from them.

It seems that peaches and nectarines imported from Chile are not good. Include on this list, the bell peppers and hot peppers imported from Mexico because they might also be contaminated.

 

Organic harvest

Organic harvest image jf gabnor

 

Finding out what Chlorpyrifos is

Well, I had to first look up what chlorpyrifos is and wonder why these things always have such complicated names. Here is a synopsis of what I found at Wikipedia: Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate pesticide used on crops, animals, and buildings.

They might also use it in different settings, and that means it can be nearly everywhere. It is used for a variety of pests, including insects and worms (recall the concern with DDT). The Dow Chemical Company patented it in 1966.

These pesticides were used, I dare say, without long-term studies to prove they were completely harmless. In those times the people were not aware of what pesticides they used and if it could be a health hazard.

Nowadays one hears more about things like this, a good example being Roundup made by Monsanto and sold worldwide. In the case of Roundup, more people find out about it because of the media reports about the ongoing court cases, so that attracts attention.

This video shows you a real family story. Very disturbing, I find.

 

 

The EPA is not functioning well

I have written about the EPA, which is an entity that was given the authority to guard people’s health against dangerous products. Lately, it has not been doing a good job. The previous director of the EPA was a voice for oil production and coal mining (not really a friend of the environment). Neither is the new director focused on environmental health.

How the EPA functions depends on who is in power and who has been named director, and that again depends on who has the last word in the country.

Now in the case of chlorpyrifos, EPAs own assessment came with the following finding. In multiple independent studies, the levels of chlorpyrifos were considered unsafe testing food and drinking water.

Finally, in 2017, the EPA was scheduled to ban this pesticide, but suddenly those plans were aborted. The EPA sided with the pesticide industry instead of taking care of public health. Yes, that is right, public health is your health!

 

Other countries and their concern on chlorpyrifos

There are discussions in Europe about this pesticide, and why it should be banned. I give the reasons for banning chlorpyrifos and what it can do to your health below. This is very disturbing.

Decreased IQ

Loss of working memory

Attention deficits, like ADHD

Autism

Thyroid hormone disruption

Reproductive problems

Metabolic disturbances

Nerve damaging Parkinson’s disease

 

Yes, we can if we unite

The question arises, why do we let this happen? Do you want this to happen to your health? When one gets informed about these awful things, I imagine most people will say no. Can we do something about it? Yes, we can.

We can join the world movement bUnited to help set these awful situations straight. Sadly, because of COVID-19 bUnited had to stop. I hope that in the future they will be able to continue their mission.

 

There are alternatives out there

On this website, I read something very true. It is important to remember, when controlling a pest problem, to look for long-term solutions and not just a temporary control. That sounds so much like modern medicine. Take a pill for your aches and pain. It does not address the underlying cause.

The advice is, that if pesticides have to be used, to choose the less toxic one, of course, only after having tried non-toxic alternatives. At the bottom of the Beyond Pesticides website, mentioned earlier, is an extensive list of these methods, so please have a look.

The less harm we do to our environment, the better. There are so many beneficial insects that are lost through the aggressive use of pesticides, besides the many harmful effects on humans. We really should speak up.

 

Home grown vegetables

Homegrown vegetables image Ian Wilson

 

As an Afterthought

We are responsible for our own health. We should not blindly and unknowingly always accept what they present to us. We have to think, be informed, and then decide what is good for us. When leaders, big companies, and entities which should look for our health do not do that, change it.

I have made a special page for you. It holds a collection of things you might find interesting. Before you leave, pay a visit to Recommendations.

 

Source: Wikipedia, EWG, Article on July 19, 2019, in Forbes by Leah Rosenbaum, Forbes Staff

Photo Source: Pixabay

 

You might like to read the following post. Changes are possible and you can start right now in your own backyard.

How To Improve Your Environment With Edible-Landscapes

 

Comments

Cathy Cavarzan

I have always been a fan of organic,growing up our vegetables came from the garden,not the store and definately not canned,unless mom canned them. There are so many health risks when it comes to pesticides I can not even imagine why we continue to produce them.bUnited I keep hearing about lately and I will be researching more into them this weekend. We need to take back the EPA and put our health as a nation first. And if the EPA can not or will not do it because they are busy lining thier own coat pockets than it is time we do.

Jul 23.2019 | 06:38 am

    Taetske

    Good Morning Cathy,

    Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget

    My previous post with the title: Be United Innovative Way To Help The Planet And People is on bUnited. I started at the beginning of July and it is growing every day. I think that this concept has huge potential for making a tremendous change.

    It is a scandal what is happening in our world on so many levels. High time to put a big stop to that. I am blessed I live on my organic farm in the south of Spain and can grow a lot of things myself.

    Regards, Taetske

    Jul 23.2019 | 06:47 am

Henderson

This is a very good post, I like that you are making a move to heal the world. I wouldn’t have known about the dangers of chlorpyrifos if you haven’t written it here. It’s saddening, the malicious acts of the EPA for not fighting for our health. If they won’t, then we will fight for ourselves. Nobody wants to get autism or memory loss from just eating normal food. Thank you for the enlightenment, I will share this with friends. 

Jul 23.2019 | 06:42 am

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Henderson,

    Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    It is time we all join together and get rid of all these awful situations. Did you have a look at bUnited? that is what we need for the world as companies and leaders do not care for us, that we will have to do ourselves.

    All the illnesses and ailments are the result of not being able to live in a clean environment.

    Regards, Taetske

    Jul 23.2019 | 02:38 pm

Paul

Dear Taetske,

Thanks for the insights about chlorpyrifos. 

The video you embedded is informative, and it’s very sad news that the EPA is not functioning well. What can we do if the fence eats the crop?.

Science, technology, medicine, and people are here to help each other not to harm others. People are losing their basic qualification or their fundamental which is love for each other. Now they are in love with money, fame, and pride.

I am really worried and afraid about our next generation.

Indeed, we are responsible for our own health. My grandma used to say “We need to be very careful on what we put in our mouth and in our mind”.

The only way to stay away from this issue is to grow our own foods, which is not possible for everyone.

I am also a member of bUnited (Thanks for sharing about them).

Let us be the change!

Paul

Jul 23.2019 | 06:47 am

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Paul,

    Thank you for your comment. Nice to see you again.

    I agree with you. They, governments, companies, and entities had their change. Look what they did, they made a big mess. Our health is declining and our food is awful. Of course not everybody can get hold of organic food. Fact is that the food on the shelves of the supermarket often has no nutricial value. I try to keep man-made food to the minimum.

    Your grandmother was right, keep your body and your mind as clean as possible.

    Regards, Taetske 

    Jul 23.2019 | 02:45 pm

Snigdha Alam

Hi Taetske,
I always love the health awareness articles. This article is also about hygienic food written by Taetske. In this article, I learned about the danger of chlorpyrifos which is a very important thing to know. I think there should be another point where it says we can know how to defend ourself but overall the article was pretty good & useful.

Jul 23.2019 | 06:55 am

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Snigdha,

    Did you see the website in the last part of my post? There you will find a long list with alternatives to all those nasty pesticides. One has to be informed about all these health hazards only like that we will be able to live a somehow healthy life. The quality of the food we eat is of utmost importance to our health and that is why buying organic is the best option.

    Thank you for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget

    Regards, Taetske 

    Jul 23.2019 | 02:33 pm

Ropata

Wow Teatske, I never new what chlorpyrifos was, let alone how dangerous is it. All those concerning health problems make entire sense as they are 20th century problems!?.. Going organic where you can should be a priority. 

And thank you for showing me the Bunited website. This will be very helpful in our fight we have going on here in New Zealand for another crazy Monsanto component, Sodium Fluroacetate or compound 1080. Our authorities use it in pest control over the native lands in scary and abundant measures. The cancer statistics alone that have peaked from its use of over 40+ stupids years now are revealing enough. Let alone some deaths that have been strategically covered up!. 

What would be interesting as a study to find out more about chlorpyrifos is whether it shares a similar story in Ownership as 1080. Where here its entire use is owned by government, private Government Officials and Exclusive investors.

Thank you so much for doing your bit to educate us on these dangerous chemicals and you fight to bring change:)

Best Regard

Ropata NZ

Jul 23.2019 | 06:59 am

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Robert,

    Thank you for your visit and leaving a comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    It is quite frightening what is happening in our world. I started with my websites in January 2017 and have encountered many worrying things I might not have come across otherwise. My world view has changed considerably.

    Did you see the 5G Summit widget? Now that is really something one should not miss. This is an experiment on a global scale, awful. bUnited might be the answer to this as up till now governments have done a poor job keeping their citizens safe.

    Regards, Taetske

    Jul 23.2019 | 02:24 pm

Linda Frankson

Hi my friend I have been meaning to write on the subject Petrochemicals versus GMO’s
In the last Summit I was on I was listening precisely about this.

We all know about plastics and there effects it has on your health, and about GMO’s. But what struck me was the word Round-Up. Not really associating GMO”s with Round-Up

I have often told people to not buy organic vegetables that are wrapped in plastic that are in your supermarkets is but better to get produce that is on the shelves.

After listening to the summit the subject was Round-Up boy what an eye-opener. we can talk till the cows come home. but in reality the most detrimental to your health is Round-Up, I can’t even begin to name the diseases that are associated with Round-Up.

There are many ways that we can buy organic foods but stay as close as we can to organics as possible. This was the plea from this DR that was talking. Then he follows up with the why.

Most of us live on a budget and I have always stressed to eat as healthy as possible.

This would be too long a comment because I could go on and on. The only way is educating ourselves and you do a wonderful job of bringing information and educating so many of us on a diversity of subjects.

Yes, I believe that bUnited can cross these barriers and we can all come together and make a difference.

Always a better way

Jul 30.2019 | 03:36 am

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Linda,

    Thank you for again a visit to my website and leaving a comment.

    The more we are informed about things the better and healthier we will live our lives. It is not easy to find out about it as the big companies are not interested that what they are doing becomes common knowledge. There is so much going on behind the scenes that it is quite disgusting. After all, it is our health which is at stake. Those Summits are an excellent way to gather some inside information. In those Summits, you will often hear about healthy alternatives.

    Roundup is awful, it has been sold worldwide for so long and still too many people are not aware of its dangers. It harms our environment and also our health and still, it is being sold. Good that those court cases have started, Monsanto, lost the first 3 and thousand more will follow. It is sprayed all over the place and one has no idea. It is a kind of mass poisoning and should stop.

    As governments are not always on the side of their own population we should get together and put some order in our world. I also believe that bUnited is the answer.

    Regards, Taetske

    Jul 30.2019 | 01:56 pm

Marta

Hi,

What an interesting article. I was unaware of the existence of Chlorpyrifos. It is certainly a serious enough reality to denounce it and fight to change it. Unfortunately, I think there is a deep unconsciousness about toxics and all those products that harm our health. We are subjected to large amounts of toxics throughout the day. Toxics in our food, in the water we drink, in the walls of our buildings (yes, paints and other chemical compounds harm our health when we breathe them in). 
As you say very well, one of the most interesting things we can do to protect our health and to motivate change is to consume organic products, as well as denounce these attacks on public health.

Thanks for the valuable information.

All the best,

Marta

Mar 18.2021 | 12:14 am

    Taetske

    Good Morning Marta,

    Thank you for your visit and for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    Our modern world is getting filled with unhealthy things. Normally people are not told about the dangers and that is why those big companies get away with it for so long. Our health is not important to them at all. It is all about making money. 

    Especially people who live in big cities are suffering. Besides unnatural food, they also have to breathe contaminated air. I am lucky to live on my organic farm where the air is good, and I am surrounded by nature. Spring has arrived with its lovely smells and sounds, a real blessing.

    Regards, Taetske

    Mar 19.2021 | 09:47 am

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