Many chemicals are used in packaging, storage, and processing of foodstuffs. These chemicals might have a long term effects on the human body. Most of these chemicals are inert and would lead to long term effects. Although most of these chemicals pass Federal Food Safety laws, the people who consume processed or packaged foods are more vulnerable to fatal diseases. Scientist have not gathered enough information about the long term impact. This includes the impact on early stages of human development, especially in the womb. An extended amount of exposure to FCM’s, or food contact materials should not be ignored for several reasons. Toxins, such as formaldehyde, a substance proven to cause cancer, have been approved by the FDA. Formaldehyde is frequently used, admitting low levels in plastic bottles used for sodas or tableware. Formaldehyde is an organic compound. It is the simplest form of aldehyde, also known by its systematic name methanal. Its similarity and relation to formic acid gives this substance its common name. In addition, other chemicals, such as bisphenol A, tributyltin, triclosan, and phthalate, that recognized for its distribution of hormone production, have been found in FCMs. The food methods used in present day food production has allowed more exposure to inorganic chemicals in the human body. FCMs also expose people to enviromental carcinogens and endocrine discomposing compounds. Pesticides are sprayed on antibiotics used on poultry, hormones injected into cattle, sheep and hogs, and crops These contaminants involuntarily become a part of the consumers body. Many pesticides, that of which have many unanswered questions regarding the potential health risk have been authorized by the EPA Office of Pesticide ... ... middle of paper ... ...ss likely to be a problem than additives and salicylates although dairy foods as well as the food chemicals above may be strongly implicated with stuffy/runny nose, snoring and sleep apnoea. Wheat or gluten are less commonly a problem. However, wholegrain wheat in products such as wholemeal bread and cereals such as Weetbix are likely to be more of a problem than refined wheat products. Anyone of any age can be affected. When whole families embark on their elimination diet to support a child with behaviour problem, it is common for them to report that everyone is sleeping better. When an entire class of 6 years olds in the UK were asked to avoid additives for two weeks at school and at home, nearly 60% (two thirds) of them improved with regard to sleeping as well as behaviour and cooperation. Food chemicals can pass through breastmilk to affect breastfed babies.
Rudel , R. A., Camann, D. E., Spengler, J. D., Korn, L. R., & Brody, J. G. (2003). Phthalates, Alkylphenols, Pesticides, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, and Other Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds in Indoor Air and Dust. Environmental Science and Technology, 37(20), 4543-4553. Retrieved from http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es0264596
3. Report: Bt Plant-Pesticides Risk and Benefit Assessments. FIFRA Scientific Adisory Panel. March 12, 2001. Food and Drug Administration. <http://www.epa.gov/scipoly/sap/2000/october/octoberfinal.pdf>
type of exposure there is reliable information on (Sray 49). The bill requires all pesticides to be
Agriculture is the most fundamental resource of society. Without it, humans could not live, especially in the ways we do now where people reside in cities. This means that those cities could not exist without large scale agriculture to sustain them. Since agriculture is such a necessity, people have developed methods to gain more from their land. One of the many solutions besides machinery they have developed to produce higher crop yields is through the use of pesticides. However, those pesticides which have resulted in high crop yields have come at price, and that is human health itself. This seems rather contradictory. Pesticides were designed to help people and society by increased the success of producing high crop yields, and they still do that, but at the same time, those same pesticides have caused unforeseen health risks, primarily to those have had to handle them. The average person would not consider pesticides as being a cause for depression, or in worst case scenario, suicide, but studies have found significant links. Even though California is just one place in the world, it has large agricultural areas which were, and still are, represented in many scientific studies that have found those unforeseen risks from pesticide use. Since pesticides are poisons, producers and safety activities urge several safety precautions to attempt to reduce the effect on human users. However, these precautions sometimes do not prevent long term damages in the people that live and work in such close proximity, which are the agricultural workers. Since the risk are known, policies have been put into place, but despite that, the use of pesticides remains high. Like many of the anthropological readings from this course, there are also added ...
Civilization began with agriculture, and agriculture continues to be an integral part of our lives. Civilization brought knowledge, knowledge brought technology, and technology brought chemicals and pesticides to “improve” our world. “The Obligation to Endure” is an excerpt from Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring,” a passionate and masterful work on the results of civilization’s efforts to control pests and insects. These effects include destruction of the environment, alteration of gene structures in plants and animals, water contamination, and an upset of nature’s delicate balance. This article is an impassioned plea to the world to understand the threat and demand the information necessary to make an informed consent on use of these deadly substances.
An example is the Aspartame found in diet soda. Focusing on diet soda, it is shown that it is linked to even more diseases and causes more side effects than regular soda. Furthermore, “Numerous studies over the past several years have reported links between diet soda and weight gain, diabetes, heart problems, and other health issues. Most recently, headlines sounded alarms about a higher chance of dementia and stroke among diet soda drinkers” (Is Drinking…). The aspartame that is used in the diet soda is the main culprit for diet sodas effects. In fact, “Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious, including seizures and death” (Aspartame…). Aspartame is a man-made chemical that is made up of aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. With, aspartic acid making up 40%, phenylalanine making up 50%, and methanol making up 10%. Taking in consideration the phenylalanine in diet soda,” Excessive levels of phenylalanine in the brain can cause the levels of serotonin in the brain to decrease, leading to emotional disorders such as depression” (Aspartame…). With the methanol, that is found in aspartame, it “…breaks down into formaldehyde in the body. Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin… With a recommended limit of consumption of 7.8 mg/day. A one-liter (approx. 1 quart) aspartame-sweetened beverage contains about 56 mg of methanol. Heavy users of aspartame-containing products consume as much as 250 mg of methanol daily or 32 times the EPA limit” (Aspartame…). The effects of methanol are caused by the formaldehyde. “Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, causes retinal damage, interferes with DNA replication and causes birth defects” (Aspartame…). Overall it is shown that the aspartame that is found in diet soda is linked to a number of diseases
When people use pesticides, they feel as though their houses and children are protected. Many people don’t see the down fall of using such harsh chemicals. Exposure to harsh chemicals can send your body in a downward spiral. Pesticides are everywhere, on the food we eat, on the building we sleep in, and even I the schools you send your child to. What is even more shocking is that many people don’t know that pesticides are in many household products such as oven cleaners, laundry detergent, floor polish, drain cleaners, and even arts and craft supplies.
chemicals and pesticides in our food and plants. At this time there are many different
Did you know that pesticides have been used since the 1600s? Yes in the 1600s the romans burned sulfur to kill insects and they used salts to control weeds. The romans also used honey and arsenic to control ants. The ancient romans crushed the petals of the pyrethrum and they used ants to to eat undesirable insects. By World War II, only thirty pesticides existed(During the late 19th century, farmers were using copper acetoarsenite, calcium arsenate, nicotine sulfate, and sulfur to control insect pests in crops. Pesticides are products that are intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or to mitigate any pest. Pesticide use emerged after World War II, when DDT, BHC, Aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, and 2, 4-D was introduced. After these were introduced, people began abusing these pesticides and the pests became genetically resistant to pesticides. When this happened, non-target plants and animals were harmed and pesticide residues appeared in unexpected places. Researchers during the 1960s, began developing a different approach towards pest control. This was called integrated pest management (IPM). There are ups and downs to pesticides. When we didn’t have pesticides, there was bug spots on the produce,and blemishes. Most people won’t buy the produce if it has these kind of disorders. After pesticides were invented, we didn’t have these sort of problems, therefore sales went up.
Byrd, John D. Jr., Ph.D., David R. Shaw, Eric P. Webster (1997). PesticidesBenefits and Risks [Online]. http://www.ces.msstate.edu/pubs/pub1962.htm [1997, October 7].
Pesticides are frequently used in this community. Almost all farmers use pesticides every day to help keep malicious, hungry animals away from their crops, most of which have been linked to illnesses further down the road by consumers, or even pregnant mothers in some cases, involving those responsible for applying the chemicals. All in all, it is no secret that these chemicals are nothing to toy with. As a matter of fact, they themselves have the potential to severely affect the health or kill unsuspecting, or perhaps impair workers.
The advancement in chemical technology with these improved pesticides has created improvements in the public health as well. From this, perhaps, we have become careless in our use and control of them. While there are many positive points, there are also extreme risks involved in using th...
CHEMICHALS: Scientist have defined hundreds of chemicals that can cause cancer in animals. These chemicals are also a cancer hazard for human beings if they become widespread in food supply, the general environment, or the living and working environment. In most cases, a chemical carcinogen enters the food supply as a food addi...
Hazardous materials are in almost every community placing everyone at some level of contact with various chemicals almost daily as they exist throughout the community and in our households. Chemicals are used for a variety of purposes such as in the water purification process, by farmers to produce a higher crop yield and are used in households and almost every business. Not all chemicals are hazardous but most pose some level of risk to people...
There is a clear link between the food consumption and human life span, with food manufacturers in the middle of that relationship. Food manufacturing is of great significance in a society because they produce majority of the food that individuals eat. Excess amount of consummation require food manufacturers to produce great amount of product in a short period of time which also makes food manufacturing quite lucrative. Considering the lack of regulation by authorities and other factors, food manufacturers are receding on the information about the amount of chemical used in food processing. Food manufacturers claim that the use of these excessive amounts of chemical such as antibiotics, steroid, and spray in food manufacturing process is for the benefit of the consumer’s health. Despite their claim this does not erase the fact that excessive use of chemicals in food processing is because of huge economical profit, to respond to high demand by consumers and poor control of food.