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market-farming - RE: [Market-farming] pesticide residues not dangerous to health??

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  • From: "Karen Sutherland" <ksutherland AT hampshire.edu>
  • To: "'Market Farming'" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: RE: [Market-farming] pesticide residues not dangerous to health??
  • Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 08:23:20 -0400

I’ve spent many years working with scientists, loving science and learning
its limitations. Scientists (should) only profess certainty within degrees
of belief about the measurable – that is, what they know to measure – only a
small part of the infinite flux and complexity within which life exists, and
even that, only in relative isolation and short term. Their assumptions are
basically *beliefs* that say that the measurable (again, what they know to
measure and know how to measure) is that which is most important or
predictive of the relationships at issue. Time and time and time again,
science’s short-sighted, tunnel-visioned, simplistic pronouncements of
safety have had to be revised as new information/consequences come to light.
Can we really afford to believe Occam’s Razor (the simplest solution is most
likely correct)? Can we afford to choose based on limited scientific
evidence rather than precautionary principles? Can we afford to trust a
discipline which is so often hand servant to and beneficiary of the economic
power structure; whose practitioner's livelihoods (through funding,
publication bias, etc.) depend directly or indirectly upon the very
industries whose products they "neutrally" analyze?

And what about the workers who produce the pesticides that break down “in
time” to supposedly be safe for consumers? What about the workers who apply
them? What about the issues of transportation and storage and exposure of
neighbors? What about accidents? What about the production and use of
these poisons in places where the people cannot even read or follow the
directions for "safe" use? What about the increased rates of illness of
certain types among farmers who use pesticides... and their families?

It is a belief, not a fact, that because living creatures have evolved with
some abilities to detoxify allergens and natural poisons, they can
successfully and without further consequence detoxify all manmade and
synthetic toxins -- or even multitudes of natural toxins at one time
(especially given that at the same time, their bodies are busy dealing with
a background level of air and water and drug contamination that there has
not been time to evolve with). And, we must remember that evolutionary
theory is predicated on the less “fit” being expendable for the (perceived)
good of the species. What if it’s your daughter or son who is not so “fit”?
Who is expendable for their profit?

The omission of these and other concerns is an example of the blinders
science wears. I for one ain’t buying it.

All best wishes,

Karen
Roots Farm
Organic Produce
Fruits, Roots, Vegetables & Herbs
Cockrane, Dominica
-----Original Message-----
From: market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Nan Johnson
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 10:12 PM
To: marketfarming
Subject: [Market-farming] pesticide residues not dangerous to health??

Several of the scientists I work with (botanists and soil scientists)keep
insisting that pesticide residues on foods are not a problem as far as human
health is concerned (they are NOT addressing the environmental problems,
just whether eating food that has had pesticide or fungicide exposure is
harmful to our health).
 
They have several points:   1) IF (and they realize this is a big IF,
especially with imported produce) the farmer observes the proper lead time
for application before harvest, the pesticides are DESIGNED to break down in
that amount of time, and residues, if any at all, are not harmful
 
2) Even if there are residues of the original chemical, not degraded or
broken down, there are already toxic compounds in every vegetable (e.g.
celery - people can have very allergic reactions to touching celery, even if
grown organically,because of naturally occuring chemical compounds that are
toxic to whatever degree to humans) so the human body can cope with toxins.
 
3) Fungicides, say on strawberries or grapes after harvest and washing, are
also designed to break down and any remainders would not be especially
harmful
 
4)  Other compounds, whatever, in our foods and spices as we prepare
the food, also act to neutralize any toxic chemical residues from pesticides
and fungicides.
 
I spent years training as an organic farmer, and can see where it is better
for the air and soil and water, but I cannot refute these arguments about
the safety to the human body of consuming conventional produce.  These
scientists are only alarmed about produce that has been  improperly treated
with pesticides (say in Chile, where workers are not given appropriate
instructions, or whatever).
 
I have also spent alot of money buying organic grains, produce, legumes,
etc.  I am always telling people that it is healthier to eat organic
products, since we don't know the synergistic effect of all those different
pesticide residues on our produce, e.g.   But maybe there aren't very many
harmful residues - what is left is detectable but not necessarily harmful
because of how the companies' design it?????
 
Any scientists on our list care to comment, or maybe just point me to
scientific articles?????? 
This is weighing on my heavily (up till now, I hadn't worked with
scientists!!!  only farmers!!)    Sorry for rambling.
 
thanks, nan at dancing goats farm
n. mississippi






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