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Ban organophosphate pesticides to protect children's health, experts say

theguardian.com

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Re: Ban organophosphate pesticides to protect children's health, experts say

#41

Post by jnurmine »

tptacek wrote: post #13
adreamingsoul wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You don't replace it. Instead, we need to adjust our thinking when it comes to growing food.

So you mean, grow much less of it, and at greater cost? You know what else presents a risk of "reduced IQs, memory and attention deficits"? Malnutrition, the world's most potent inhibitor of intelligence.

Just a note, the world runs no risk of malnutrition even if we produce less food with cleaner forms of production. The world already produces more than enough for everyone. The problem is distribution, not production.

Re: Ban organophosphate pesticides to protect children's health, experts say

#42

Post by Someone1234 »

amanaplanacanal wrote: post #40
vixen99 wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or in 2050, wondering why in 2018, mercury amalgam (Hg is an established neurotoxin) was still in significant use (except in Norway, Sweden and Denmark) as a dental filler.

Other people appear to be down-voting you, so I'll comment instead: The standard defense is that the mercury is locked in place inside the amalgam, and does not migrate. I've never looked at the evidence either way.

In theory. But grinding teeth, chewing, or even brushing can cause flakes to break away. The biggest risk is actually during installation of the amalgam, particularly for dental professionals.

The real crux of the issue is that there are safer effective alternatives. So even if we call the risk "low," it is a needless risk. It only a matter of "when" not "if" these filings are against safety regulations.

Re: Ban organophosphate pesticides to protect children's health, experts say

#43

Post by narrator »

Someone1234 wrote: post #42
amanaplanacanal wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Other people appear to be down-voting you, so I'll comment instead: The standard defense is that the mercury is locked in place inside the amalgam, and does not migrate. I've never looked at the evidence either way.

In theory. But grinding teeth, chewing, or even brushing can cause flakes to break away. The biggest risk is actually during installation of the amalgam, particularly for dental professionals. The real crux of the issue is that there are safer effective alternatives. So even if we call the risk "low," it is a needless risk. It only a matter of "when" not "if" these filings are against safety regulations.

Also drinking hot liquids can release small amounts of mercury vapor.

Re: Ban organophosphate pesticides to protect children's health, experts say

#46

Post by cmrdporcupine »

throwaway5752 wrote: post #36
cmrdporcupine wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

RoundUp is a pesticide. Glyphosate. A herbicide. Maybe you mean "RoundUp Ready?" The actual real world of GMO, the stuff that is actually marketed and sold -- it's like 90% about herbicide resistance, nothing else.

RoundUp is the trade name for glyphosate, which is an herbicide, not a pesticide. RoundUp Ready is the trade name for glyphosate-resistant strains of crops. RoundUp and RoundUp Ready are both copyrights of Monsanto.

Herbicides are pesticides.

Insecticides are also pesticides.

I have my Ontario sprayer's license in my wallet. I had to take a day long course on this topic to get it. Own a hobby farm.

Thanks.

Re: Ban organophosphate pesticides to protect children's health, experts say

#47

Post by gwbas1c »

maxxxxx wrote: post #15
dragontamer wrote: post #8

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/rmpp_6t... EPA has this little chapter on organophosphates. Seems like this class of pesticides is well known to be toxic to humans.

I think there will be a time in the future when we'll look back and think how crazy people were in 2018 pumping all kinds of known toxins into the environment. It will probably be the same incredulity we have when we look at people using radium toothpaste in 1920 or the mad hatters working with mercury the whole day and going crazy.

I always wonder if there's a mindset of, "use it as long as we can get away with it."

We will need to significantly change our laws to fix this.

Re: Ban organophosphate pesticides to protect children's health, experts say

#49

Post by gwbas1c »

stephengillie wrote: post #19

Let's "kill 2 birds with one stone" and also fight the obesity crisis by having children pick weeds. Call it a "Synergy class between botany science and physical education". Edit: The suggestion that children learn a basic trade, while getting exercise, and providing economic benefit, seems very unpopular. Please suggest a better solution for these problems - maybe you think adults would benefit more from this?

I upvoted... Because I hope this was a joke with tounge planted firmly in cheek.

Re: Ban organophosphate pesticides to protect children's health, experts say

#50

Post by wahern »

aethertap wrote: post #33
dragontamer wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Organic" Farmers aren't very well defined unfortunately. They do use pesticides, but "organic" ones. The overriding pattern is that "Organic" farmers use stuff that is all natural. (for some... fuzzy... definition of all natural) But we all know that Rattlesnake venom is 100% organic and all natural. So I'm personally not sure if the distinction between "synthetic" and "organic" is very appropriate. Nature can certa…

Slightly tangential, but regarding the definition of "natural," I personally prefer to think in terms of concentrates. The chemicals in question exist in nature in many cases, or at least there is a similar naturally occurring compound. The main thing that I think makes a useful distinction is the concentration level. Like other drugs, the danger is in the dose, and the extreme levels of potency we can get with a lit…

Pesticides in organic farming are also highly concentrated (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_farming#Pesticides), which would make them synthetic per your definition. Which is fine, but it means that from your perspective organic farming is non-existent.
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