Tuesday 16 April 2013

Eating Poison Everyday: Pesticides 1-4


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Eating Poison Everyday: Pesticides 1
During the process of food being “added poisons”, the first stage is through the use of chemical Fertilizers and pesticides such as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides.
More than 400 types of chemical substances are used as pesticides to kill weeds & bugs in agriculture --- Most of them had not been tested for efficacy & safety prior of use.
For example, 36 types of different pesticides could be sprayed for more than 16 times on apples ( those chemicals would not be found on organic food products ).
Consequences of Exposure to Pesticides
A study out of Harvard showed that:  Even for a tiny amount, Organophosphate ( a common pesticide ) can have dramatic effects on the “brain chemistry”.
Cancer, Alzheimer’s, Asthma, Parkinson’s Disease, Diabetes, Obesity, Immune & Neurological Disorders, Infertility, Disrupted Male Hormone, Birth Defects, Malformation, Autism, ADHD, Stunted Growth, Low IQ, Obstruction in Study & Kinetic Functions, Strange Behaviors…… are related to “exposure to pesticides”.,
Pesticides Cannot be Washed Off
Among the Americans being tested, 95% were found in their blood to contain Organophosphate ( OP level in children blood samples were twice as much as the adult ones );  93% were found in their urine to contain Chlorpyrifos ( a neurotoxic insecticide )
United States Dept. of Agricultural ( USDA ) banned combination use of different types of pesticides, because this will resulted in new and highly toxic compounds; but among the tested food products, 62% were found to have mixtures residues of at least 3 types of different pesticides !
Ozone cannot remove pesticides embedded inside vegetables & fruits.
Children are Especially Poisoned
The toxicity of most chemical substances to the children is 10 times of the toxicity to the adults ( depending on weight ).
Laboratory tested the products from 8 baby food enterprises and discovered 16 types of pesticides, included 3 types of carcinogens.
Among the blood samples of 2-4 years old children, pesticides residues in the blood of children who ate “regular farming” vegetables & fruits are 6 times higher than those who ate “organic” food !
* Compiled & Written:    Hui-Zhi  ( U-turn of Creation )    originally released on 2013.2.23
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Eating Poison Everyday: Pesticides 2
We may think it’s ok to consume a little bit of pesticides, the truth is:
Please Don’t Take Chances
Many pesticides are “Endocrine Disruptors” --- If the timing is "right" , can do life changing damage to the human body even with extremely low doses that interfere with the hormone system  ( moreover, people now-a-day are usually consuming more that just a little bit of pesticides ).
The results of being poisoned by pesticides could be acute or chronic.
Not just the vegetables & fruits, processed food products & meats also contain pesticides --- because animals are also eating feed that contain pesticides.
When USDA tested the residues of pesticides, they did wash the vegetable & fruit before testing, yet the test still found out large amount of pesticides --- which is to say: Pesticides are not able to be washed off.
Horrible Amount of Pesticide Residues
Apple:                42 types of pesticide residues found --- 7 are known or probable Carcinogens, 19 are suspected Hormone Disruptors, 10 are Neurotoxins, 6 are Developmental or Reproductive Toxins, 17 are Honeybee Toxins
Cabbage:          51 types of pesticide residues found --- 12 are known or probable Carcinogens, 29 are suspected Hormone Disruptors, 9 are Neurotoxins, 10 are Developmental or Reproductive Toxins, 21 are Honeybee Toxins
Cucumber:       35 types of pesticide residues found --- 9 are known or probable Carcinogens, 25 are suspected Hormone Disruptors, 12 are Neurotoxins, 9 are Developmental or Reproductive Toxins, 16 are Honeybee Toxins
Milk:                   12 types of pesticide residues found --- 5 are known or probable Carcinogens, 8 are suspected Hormone Disruptors, 4 are Neurotoxins, 4 are Developmental or Reproductive Toxins, 4 are Honeybee Toxins
Wheat Flour:    16 types of pesticide residues found --- 3 are known or probable Carcinogens, 9 are suspected Hormone Disruptors, 5 are Neurotoxins, 4 are Developmental or Reproductive Toxins, 7 are Honeybee Toxins
Note:     Milk & wheat flour are the ingredients for a lot of processed food.
We may assume that vegetables & fruits from Australia & New Zealand are safe; however, one of the world’s top 10 pesticide corporations, Nufarm, is an Australian Company. As for New Zealand, a survey done in 2010 showed that: 94 % of fruit & vegetable samples contained traces of pesticide, a report from Wikipedia also indicated there is a high use of pesticides in New Zealand…
* Compiled & Written:    Hui-Zhi  ( U-turn of Creation )    originally released on 2013.3.2
( List out the pesticides residue of each type of vegetable & fruit )
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Eating Poison Everyday: Pesticides 3
It’s not just about us………
Pesticides are great calamities to:  Farmers expose to pesticides, bees transmitting pollen, soil, water, air, & the whole ecosystem.
Pesticides cause harms to farmers
Yannick Chenet, a French winegrower, died after contracting leukemia, becoming the first farmer to have his illness officially linked to the pesticides he used for years on his crops. He is among 40 or so farmers in France whose illnesses have now been officially linked to their profession and the pesticides they have sprayed on the land.
According to PAN International’s estimation, globally there are about 41 millions farm workers poisoned by pesticides every year. According to the WHO data, about 350 thousands people die annually worldwide as a result of unintentional poisonings by pesticides ( the figures have not even included those unreported cases yet ).
On a global scale, pesticide poisoning is the most frequently used method for committing suicide, especially in those areas where pesticides are readily available.
Pesticides cause harms to living creatures
Bees disappearing? What’s so big of a deal? --- It is.
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) refers to the phenomenon of mass disappearing of bees population worldwide in recent years; bee populations have dropped 30% per year since 2006  ---  Lots of proofs are indicating that pesticides are destroying the bees population globally.
Bees are the important agent to transmit pollens; without bees, vegetables & fruits will not be able to bear fruits, that is to say:  We might face the catastrophe of global food shortage.
Pesticides have poisoned many aquatic animals, and changing the frogs from males to females…; Prairie bird populations are also falling, scientists say pesticides are a primary culprit.
7 out of 10 biologists believe that the catastrophe of “mass extinction of living creatures” will bring more threats to earth than the problem of “global warming”……
Pesticides cause harms to the environment
Pesticides are one of “top three worst toxic pollution problems” on planet; The invisible pesticides are hiding in our soil, water, air……
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) estimates that at least 70% of the pollution in the nation's rivers, lakes, and streams stems from industrial farming practices that involve the intensive use of chemicals.
Pesticides cannot solve the problems of pests & weeds; many pests & weeds have developed resistance to pesticides, resulted in more & more pesticides being sprayed.
Since 1950, the amount of pesticides used has risen 50-folds globally.
Note:     Other than agriculture, golf fields / grass fields / horticulture are also using large amount of pesticides.
* Compiled & Written:    Hui-Zhi  ( U-turn of Creation )    originally released on 2013.3.9
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Eating Poison Everyday: Pesticides 4
Pesticides manufacturers described the “resistance” problem as a business opportunity.
At least 14 weed species on 5 continents have developed resistance due to massive applications of Glyphosate ( a type of herbicide );  as a result, farmers must employ more toxic chemicals to kill the resistant weeds.
Between 2005 & 2010, the global sales of pesticides rose from US$ 31 billion to US$ 38 billion.
2011, at International People’s Court, 6 Largest pesticide manufacturers ( from USA, Germany & Switzerland ): Monsanto, Syngenta, Bayer, BASF, Dow & Dupont were prosecuted for their human rights violations ( included rights to life, livelihood & health ).
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK ( PAN ), BEYOND PESTICIDES and other groups together signed a joint statement demanding that these pesticides manufacturers be held accountable.
Below are samples of the 25 cases in the prosecution:
People of Kasargod vs. Bayer
In the district of Kasargod in India, Endosulfan ( pesticide manufactured by Bayer ) was sprayed aerially on cashew nut plantations for over 20 years. As a consequence people there have suffered significant congenital / reproductive / neurological damage. 500 deaths were officially acknowledged, unofficial figures were around 4000, more than 9000 people have had health problems resulting from exposure to Endosulfan.
Family of Silvino Talavera vs. Monsanto
Countless people have suffered severe health effects from exposure to RoundUp ( herbicide manufactured by Monsanto ), and some had even died. 11-year-old boy Silvino Talavera from Paraguay was on his way home from school one day when he was enveloped in a cloud of RoundUp. He arrived home barely able to breathe and was rushed to the hospital, where he died 5 days later.
Farmers of India vs. Monsanto
In India, Monsanto has monopolized the cottonseed market, resulting in the following:  Increased royalties on their seeds, pushing farmers deeper into debt; grazing on BT cotton often leading to cattle sickness & death; mass farmer suicides in multiple states in India due to inability to make a living.
Note:     BT Cotton is a type of GMO cotton, manufactured by Monsanto.
Makhteshim Agan, Nufarm, Sumitomo Chemical, Arysta Lifescience were another 4 largest pesticides manufacturers;  China is now the country that both uses & produces the largest amount of pesticides.
Eating with a Conscience
Actually we don’t have to rely on harmful pesticides for our agriculture, there is a much better way --- the organic way.
BEYOND PESTICIDES encourages everyone to oppose these pesticides manufacturers, starting from “our food buying decision”  ---  Try to buy more organic food.
* Compiled & Written:    Hui-Zhi  ( U-turn of Creation )    originally released on 2013.3.16
* Useful Websites:    http://www.beyondpesticides.org/
* Resources:   1) Organic Consumers Association   
 2) Beyond Pesticides   
 3) Pesticide Action Network   
 4) Natural News  


天天都在吃毒: 农药篇 1-4


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天天都在吃毒: 农药篇 1
食物被“下毒”的过程中,第一个阶段是透过使用杀虫剂灭草剂除菌剂 insecticides, herbicides, fungicides 等等农药及化学肥料。
超过400化学物被用于一般农业中,作为杀死杂草和害虫的农药 --- 大部份的功效和安全性在使用前没有被检验过
例如苹果可以用到36不同的农药、进行多达16的喷洒 这些化学物都不会出现在有机食品中
接触农药的后果
哈佛一项研究显示即使剂量很少Organophosphate 一种常用农药 也会对“大脑化学反应”造成巨大影响。
癌症、老人痴呆症、哮喘、帕金森氏症、糖尿病、肥胖、免疫及神经系统疾病、不育、破坏男性荷尔蒙、胎儿缺陷、畸形、自闭、缺乏注意力与过动ADHD、发育迟缓、智商低、学习及运动功能障碍、行为异常……和“接触农药”有所关联。
农药是洗不掉的
在受验的美国人当中,有95%的血液中验出Organophosphate  儿童血液样本的OP值是大人的2 93%的尿液中验出Chlorpyrifos 一种毒害神经的杀虫剂
美国农业部 USDA 严禁混用不同类型的农药,因为会结合成新的、高毒性的化合物;但在受验的食品中,有62%被测出含至少3不同农药的混合残留!
臭氧无法除掉深植蔬果内的农药。
孩童中毒特别深
一般化学物质对孩子的毒性,是对大人的10 视体重而定
实验室测试8婴儿食品企业的产品,发现16农药,包括3致癌物
2岁至4岁幼儿的血液样本中,吃“一般农场”出产蔬果的幼儿,血中农药残留浓度比吃“有机食品”的幼儿6
整理撰写:    慧治( U-turn of Creation   原先于 2013.2.23  发布
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天天都在吃毒: 农药篇 2
我们可能以为吃下一点农药无伤大雅,事实上
请别存侥幸的心
很多农药是“内分泌干扰物” ---  即使剂量非常少,在对的时机,就会干扰荷尔蒙系统,对人体造成改变一生的伤害 更何况,现代人通常不止吃到一点农药而已
农药中毒可以是急性 acute 的,也可以是慢性 / 长期 chronic 的。
不只是蔬果加工食品肉类也含农药 --- 因为动物所吃的也是带农药的饲料。
USDA 在检验“食品的农药残留”时,有事先将蔬果洗过,但却仍然检验到大量的农药 --- 也就是说农药是洗不掉的
农药残留量恐怖
苹果            找到42农药残留 ---  7种是已知或可能性的致癌物,19种疑是荷尔蒙干扰物,10种是神经毒素,6种是发育或生殖性毒素,17种会毒害蜜蜂
生菜            找到51农药残留 ---  12种是已知或可能性的致癌物,29种疑是荷尔蒙干扰物,9种是神经毒素,10种是发育或生殖性毒素,21种会毒害蜜蜂
小黄瓜        找到35农药残留 ---  9种是已知或可能性的致癌物,25种疑是荷尔蒙干扰物,12种是神经毒素,9种是发育或生殖性毒素,16种会毒害蜜蜂
牛奶            找到12农药残留 ---  5种是已知或可能性的致癌物,8种疑是荷尔蒙干扰物,4种是神经毒素,4种是发育或生殖性毒素,4种会毒害蜜蜂
小麦粉        找到16农药残留 ---  3种是已知或可能性的致癌物,9种疑是荷尔蒙干扰物,5种是神经毒素,4种是发育或生殖性毒素,7种会毒害蜜蜂
牛奶和小麦粉是很多加工食品的成份。
我们也许以为澳洲和纽西兰的蔬果是安全的;但是,名列全球十大农药企业之一的Nufarm,就是澳洲公司。纽西兰方面,2010年一项检验显示:  94%的蔬果样本含农药残留;Wikipedia一则报告显示纽西兰大量使用农药…..
整理撰写:    慧治( U-turn of Creation   原先于 2013.3.2  发布
好用网站:    http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/food.jsp?food=TO 列出每一种蔬果的农药残留
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天天都在吃毒: 农药篇 3
不只是关乎我们……
对于接触农药的农夫、传播花粉的蜜蜂、土壤水源空气、以及整个生态来说,农药是一项大祸害。
农药对农夫的伤害
Yannick Chenet 是死于血癌的法国农夫;他是第一个被正式证实所患疾病与常年使用农药有关的农夫,和法国40多位农夫一样,患病与其职业和喷洒农药有关联。
根据PAN International的估计,全球每年约有41百万农田工人农药中毒。根据世界卫生组织,全球每年约有35人因农药而死亡(还没包括那些没有报案的
农药是全球最常用来自杀的方法,特别是在那些容易取得农药的地区。
农药对生物的伤害
蜜蜂消失?很大件事吗?--- 是的。
Colony Collapse Disorder CCD 是指这几年全球蜜蜂大量消失的现象;自2006年,蜜蜂的数量每年大约减少30%  ---  很多证据显示农药正在毁灭全球的蜂群。
蜜蜂是传播花粉的大功臣,缺了蜜蜂,蔬菜水果就无法结果,也就是说我们将面临全球缺粮大灾难
农药使很多“水栖生物”中毒,并使青蛙由雄性变成雌性;田野鸟类数量也在减少,科学家说农药是元凶。
10个生物学家当中,有7个相信 生物大量灭绝”的大灾难 将比“全球暖化”的问题带给地球更大的威胁……
农药对环境的伤害
农药名列地球上“三大最严重毒性污染问题”之一;无形的农药,藏身于我们的土壤里、水里、空气里……
美国环保局估计国内河流湖泊的污染,至少70 % 是源自大量使用化学物的工业性种植业。
农药并不能解决害虫和野草的问题  ---  很多害虫和野草产生了抗药性,结果农药越喷越多。
1950年到现在,国际的农药使用率增加了50……
:   除了农业之外,高尔夫球场、草坪、园艺……等等也使用大量农药。
整理撰写:    慧治( U-turn of Creation   原先于 2013.3.9  发布
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天天都在吃毒: 农药篇 4
农药公司称“抗药性”问题为商机
由于大量喷洒Glyphosate(一种灭草剂),全球5大洲中,至少14种野草已经产生了抗药性;结果农夫必须使用更多有毒化学物来除灭有抗药性的野草  
2005 年到2010年间,全球的农药销售量从 美金310亿增加到380亿。
全球6大农药公司被告上国际人民法庭International People’s Court
2011年,在国际人民法庭,6大农药公司 美国,德国和瑞士的 Monsanto, Syngenta, Bayer, BASF, Dow & Dupont  因为侵犯人权而被起诉 包括了生命 / 维生 / 健康方面的人权
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK PAN BEYOND PESTICIDES 和其他团体一起签署了一份宣言,要求这些农药公司负责任。
下列是25起诉当中的几个例子:
Kasergod人民vs. Bayer

20多年来,印度Kasergod地区,Endosulfan Bayer制造的农药 )被用来喷洒在腰果种植园。结果,当地人民深受“先天  / 生殖 /  神经”方面的严重伤害。正式公布的死亡人数有500人,非正式公布的有4000人左右,并且超过9000人因为接触Endosulfan而健康出问题。

Silvino Talavera 家庭 vs. Monsanto

因为接触RoundUp Monsanto制造的灭草剂 ),数不清的人民健康严重受损,有些甚至死亡。巴拉圭11岁男孩Silvino Talavera一天从学校回来,被一团喷洒的RoundUp 笼罩,回家后呼吸困难,紧急送院,5天后不治死亡。

印度人民 vs. Monsanto

在印度,Monsanto垄断了棉花种子市场,造成以下后果:   种子“专利使用费”增加,促使农夫们负债更深;牛群在误食BT棉花之后生病和死亡;由于无法维持生计,印度几个省有很多农夫自杀。

:  BT Cotton是一种基因改造棉花,是Monsanto的产品。
:  Makhteshim Agan, Nufarm, Sumitomo Chemical, Arysta Lifescience 是另外4大农药公司;而目前,中国是使用和制造最多农药的国家。
有良心的饮食方式(Eating with a Conscience
其实我们的农业不需要依靠农药,有一个更好的方法有机种植。
BEYOND PESTICIDES呼吁大家一起抵制这些农药公司,从“我们选购食物的决定”方面开始  ---  尽量多选购有机食物
整理撰写:    慧治( U-turn of Creation   原先于 2013.3.16 发布
好用网站:    http://www.beyondpesticides.org/
参考来源:    1)  Organic Consumers Association   
2)  Beyond Pesticides   
3)  Pesticide Action Network   
4)  Natural News