> FYI- Thought you might find this info relevant--
>
> > Pesticide Exposure May Impair Children's Brain Function
> >
> > Dramatic deficits in brain function are seen in rural
> > children with long-term exposure to pesticides compared with
> > children not similarly exposed, according to a recent study
> > in Environmental Health Perspectives. The study compared two
> > groups of four- and five-year-old children in the Yaqui
> > Valley of Sonora, Mexico.
> > Thirty three of those studied live in the valley, a farming
> > area where pesticide use is relatively intense. Farmers
> > reported that two crops a year may be planted, with up to 45
> > pesticide applications per crop.
Can we assume that the farmers in this area were appling pesticides up to 90
times/year? The average American farmer applies 2 for grain crops and 5-10
for veggies. These farmers were apparently putting on 9-18 times more
pesticides!
> In addition, household insecticides
> > are usually applied each day throughout the year.
And can we assume that insecticides were sprayed 365 days a year in their
houses? I don't have current info on American housholds but I think it is
significantly less. I've never done it, except to kill some termites that
crept in one day.
> > Contamination of the local population has been documented,
> > with women's breast milk containing concentrations of
> > lindane, heptachlor, benzene hexachloride, aldrin and endrin
> > all above limits established by the UN Food and Agricultural
> > Organization.
I would be inclined to believe this due to the exhorbident amounts of
pesticides applied in this region.
> >
> > The second study group (17 children) live in the foothills,
> > where most families are involved in ranching and pesticide
> > use is minimal. Foothill residents use traditional methods of
> > intercropping for pest control in gardens and rarely use
> > insecticides indoors. Residents stated that their only
> > exposure to pesticides is annual government spraying of DDT
> > to combat malaria (this program is also carried out in the
> > valley).
So, could we assume that *possibly* the higher IQ'ed kids were exposed to DDT
(banned in US) as well?
Let's use another analogy. Medications are much like pesticides- they are both
designed to kill a targeted organism. Taken at recommended doses they can be
very effective and cause little harm. Taken frequently a person can become
addicted and suffer other undesirable side effects that require even more
medications to aleviate those side effects. Those same medications that can
give *new life* to people who need them can also kill when high doses lead to
a toxic death. Some folks run to the local pharmacy at the first sign of a
slight sniffle. Others choose to use time tested remedies that rely on natural
cures, and of course some use combinations of both methods. I'm sure you can
see the paralells. Pesticides, like medicines, when used properly can be
helpful. Drawing the line at where they can be helpful vs. harmful will always
be a scientific and philosopical debate.
Steve Groff
-- Attend our 5th annual Field day, July 29th. Check website for details! "New Generation Cropping Systems": the cutting edge of sustainable agriculturehttp://www.cedarmeadowfarm.com Steve Groff Cedar Meadow Farm 679 Hilldale Rd Holtwood PA 17532 USA Ph. 717-284-5152
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