Agriculture and Pesticides

OrganicNot very organic

Introduction

Here is a more formal survey of synthetic chemicals found in people's bodies. It is known as the Third National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals.  The research was done by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the preeminent laboratory of epidemiology in the United States.

  1. What does the report say about the connection between body burden of a chemical and likelihood of disease?
  2. You'll notice that the insecticides known as pyrethroids are the most widespread pesticides found in human tissue.  What is their source?

The Environmental Working Group has taken their shopper's guide to pesticides in produce off the web and replaced it with a data base you need to receive by e-mail.  Here's where to sign up.

Here's a good summary of Organic Foods and some of the problems associated with the Federal Government's new Organic standards.

Cruise the home page of Crop Life America. Do these people sound like they are really trying to poison Ameicans? Read their perspective on Biomonitoring and Chemicals in the body.

  1. What is the gist of their response?
  2. How would you respond if you were representing Crop Life America?

What you can do.

Join the Erie Whole Foods Cooperative.

Buy local breads, cookies, and vegetables at the Meadville Market house.

Practice your cooking with local and organic foods.

            Seeds of Change recipes.

Check out the Organic Consumers Association.

Additional cool websites.

This is obviously a vegetarian's website, but that doesn't make the facts, or the photos (don't worry, they're on a separate page, not in your face), on Factory Farming.com any less valid.

Prepared by Eric Pallant and Terry Bensel 9/05. Updated by Eric Pallant 10/06.