Pesticides & Herbicides.

Written By Chrissy P

Organic is the Answer.

What are they?

Pesticides and Herbicides are chemicals used in agriculture and gardening to control unwanted organisms including; Insects, Fungi, Rodents and Weeds.

If you have ever had a garden and lost any of your yield to pests, or had weeds take over, you can appreciate why a farmer who’s entire livelihood relies on their crops would use them. However, in commercial agriculture, these come with a high cost to our health and the environment.

The Human Health Risks associated with the use of Pesticides and Herbicides include:

  • Toxicity- Many pesticides are toxic to humans, especially in large amount or with prolonged use.

  • Cancer Links- some, like Glyphosate and chlorpyrifos, have been associated with cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

  • Neurodevelopmental Harm- Chemicals like Chlorpyrifos can damage brain development in children.

  • Endocrine Disruption- Substances like Atrazine can interfere with hormones affecting reproduction and development.

  • Acute Poisoning- Inhaling, ingesting or absorbing pesticides can cause immediate symptoms like nausea, headaches, skin rashes, or worse.

The Environmental Harm caused by the use of Pesticides and Herbicides include:

  • Water Contamination- Pesticides can leach into groundwater or run off into rivers and lakes harming aquatic life and contaminating the water.

  • Soil Degradation- Longterm use can kill beneficial microbes, reduce fertility, and damage soil structure.

  • Harm to Non-Target Species- Bees, birds, and other wildlife may be poisoned or affected unintentionally.

  • Bioaccumulation- Some Pesticides persist in the environment and accumulate in the bodies of animals and humans over time. Potentially causing long term health effects and moving up the food chain.

***It should be noted that Chlorpyrifos have been banned or heavily restricted in Canada and the United States due to the significant health risks, especially to children. However, it was only in August 2021 they were banned in the US and 2020 they were phased out in Canada. ***Chlorpyrifos are still widely used in Mexico, and a LOT of Canadian produce comes from Mexico.

Below are the most common Pesticides and Herbicides;

1. Glyphosate (e.g., Roundup)


Type: Herbicide
Concerns: Linked to cancer (particularly non-Hodgkin lymphoma), endocrine disruption, and environmental harm.

2. Chlorpyrifos


Type: Insecticide
Concerns: Neurotoxic, especially dangerous to children's brain development. Banned or restricted in many countries.


3. Atrazine


Type: Herbicide
Concerns: Endocrine disruptor, associated with reproductive issues and contamination of water supplies.


4. Paraquat


Type: Herbicide
Concerns: Highly toxic if ingested, linked to Parkinson’s disease, and banned in many countries.


5. 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid)


Type: Herbicide
Concerns: Potential carcinogen, suspected endocrine disruptor, often used in combination with glyphosate.


6. Neonicotinoids (e.g., Imidacloprid, Clothianidin)


Type: Insecticides
Concerns: Harmful to pollinators like bees, potentially toxic to aquatic life, may affect human nervous systems.


7. DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)


Type: Insecticide
Concerns: Banned in many countries due to its persistence in the environment, bioaccumulation, and link to cancer and reproductive harm.

Buying Organic is not practical for a lot of us, unfortunately. There are different products you can purchase to help take these pesticides off your produce. There are Saltwater Baths you can give your produce, or Baking Soda Baths. These are not guaranteed, but they have been shown to help.

  • Salt Water Bath- 1 part Salt to 9 parts Water. Soak for 20-30 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

  • Baking Soda Bath- 1 Tsp Baking Soda in 2 Cups water. Soak for 2 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

OR…

Grow your own! The best way to take your health into your own hands is to grow your own. Dehydrate and preserve.

Good Luck!

Chrissy P
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