Latest News...
- Monday, October 23, 2023
Association between urinary glyphosate levels and serum biomarkers indicative of neurological damage
Association between urinary glyphosate levels and serum neurofilament light chain in a representative sample of US adults: NHANES 2013-2014 ( An-Ming Yang et al, J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2023 Sep 6).
This is the first research to suggest an association between glyphosate exposure and biomarkers indicative of neurological damage in general U.S. adults.
filed under glyphosate 2 and health/nervous system effects
- Friday, October 6, 2023
Pollinator Health The Climate Crisis Weakens Bees Ability to Withstand Pesticide Exposure
Pollinator Health: The Climate Crisis Weakens Bees’ Ability to Withstand Pesticide Exposure
(Beyond Pesticides, September 13, 2023) A study published in Global Change Biology finds climate change increases bees’ sensitivity to pesticide exposure, impairing the pollinators’ ability to respond to light (Ultra-Violet UV stimuli), reducing floral syrup consumption, and lessening longevity (length of life) up to 70 percent. Notably, the reduction in floral syrup consumption indicates nutritional stress that further impacts bee species’ fecundity (productiveness), driving bee declines. Unless more is done to combat the climate crisis, the current global warming scenario increasing bees’ sensitivity to pesticide exposure will continue to threaten all pollinator health. The study analyzes the synergistic (combined) effects of global warming and sublethal insecticide exposure in the solitary bee (European orchard bee/horned mason bee) Osmia cornuta.
filed under Wildlife section/insects/insects p 2 and climate change
- Friday, October 6, 2023
Popular Pyrethroid Insecticides, Already Linked to Rheumatoid Arthritis, Associated with Osteoarthritis
(Beyond Pesticides, September 20, 2023) Higher concentrations of a pyrethroid metabolite (3-PBA) in the body have an association with increased osteoarthritis (OA) risk among US adults, according to a study published in BMC Public Health. Regardless of analysis sensitivity and population subgroup (e.g., sex, socioeconomic status, etc.), the association between pyrethroid exposure and OA remains.
The results demonstrate that the higher the levels of urinary 3-PBA, the greater the odds of OA in U.S. adults, highlighting the importance of routinely monitoring pyrethroid exposure among the general population.
This study is one of the first to identify the association between chronic exposure to pyrethroids and OA. The study suggests pyrethroids’ adverse impact on thyroid hormones plays a significant role in OA development, affecting cell secretions of cartilage and enzyme activity in joints.
filed under pyrethrins and Health/Arthritis
- Friday, October 6, 2023
Second Session of National Forum on Environmental Justice; Recording of Forum Talks by Dave Goulson and André Leu Released
recordings available
(Beyond Pesticides, September 22, 2022) Beyond Pesticides today announced the second session of the National Forum, Forging a Future with Nature: The existential challenge to end petrochemical pesticide and fertilizer use. The hard-hitting talks of Dave Goulson, PhD, and André Leu, DSc. are now available as recordings on the Beyond Pesticides website.
- Friday, October 6, 2023
Bayer’s Use of EU-Forbidden Pesticides Ignites Protest in South Africa
Bayer’s Use of EU-Forbidden Pesticides Ignites Protest in South Africa
(Beyond Pesticides, September 19, 2023) Farmworkers in Paarl, South Africa took to the streets on Friday, September 8, demanding an end to the indiscriminate importation and use of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides containing substances prohibited by the European Union (EU). This protest is part of a broader global trend of outcry against systemic issues of environmental racism that disproportionately burden communities with environmental and health risks.
Meanwhile, the chants of demonstrators echoed throughout: “We’re dying of asthma, we’re dying of cancer, we’re dying of heart attacks,” a reminder of the dire consequences of corporate actions like Bayer’s.  
This demonstration comes on the heels of a visit to South Africa by Marcos Orellana, PhD, the UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights. Dr. Orellana’s report highlights discrepancies in South Africa’s handling of hazardous materials.
SNAP Comment: Canada also has many registered pesticides that are banned in the European Union...
filed under Legislation/Regulatory/ international
- Friday, October 6, 2023
All Pesticide Classes Increase the Risk of Central Nervous System Tumors in Children
All Pesticide Classes Increase the Risk of Central Nervous System Tumors in Children
(Beyond Pesticides, September 21, 2023) A literature review published in Ciência & Saúde Coletiva finds environmental exposure to all classes of pesticides (fungicides, herbicides, insecticides) has an association with childhood astrocytoma (brain/central nervous system CNS tumor). CNS tumors represent half of all malignant neoplasms (tumors) in children. ...Furthermore, childhood cancer survivors can suffer from chronic or long-term health complications that may be life-threatening. ... Most notably, exposure to pesticides in the home represents the most typical type of exposure setting. This is concerning as most of one’s lifetime is spent in the home.
filed under health/cancer/ links 2
- Thursday, September 14, 2023
Re: NOI2023-01 Consultation on strengthening the regulation of pest control products in Canada
Prevent Cancer Now comments
Supplementary PCN submission re. NOI2023-01 on pesticide regulation (Prevent Cancer Now, September 8, 2023) Re: NOI2023-01 Consultation on strengthening the regulation of pest control products in Canada
These notes are supplementary to and in no way detract from the joint submission. Here we provide additional information and views based on our experiences, relevant to the four points raised in NOI2023-01.
- Facilitate access to confidential test data CTD, including for research and re-analysis purposes;
- Increase transparency for maximum residue limits MRL applications for imported food products
- Give the Minister the explicit authority to require the submission of available information on cumulative environmental effects and require the Minister to consider cumulative effects on the environment during risk assessments where information and methodology are available
- Strengthen consideration of species at risk in risk assessments by giving the Minister the explicit authority to require submission of available information on species at risk
SNAP Comment: this submission points out current lacks in the regulations and has worthwhile suggestions on each point.
filed under Legislation/Regulatory/Canada p.2
- Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Illness Tied to Petrochemicals Impact on Body’s Essential Mast Cells -immune system regulators- Study Finds
(Beyond Pesticides, August 22, 2023) A recently completed study (available in preprint before peer review) identifies the development of what the authors term Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT), the constellation of symptoms associated with chemical exposures (also called multiple Chemical sensitivities- MCS). 'The authors describe a two-part process. First, during initiation, a person is exposed at an acute level or repeated low-level doses to a toxicant, such as an organophosphate pesticide or a natural substance like mold, that triggers immune reactions from mast cells, which are crucial immune system regulators. Stage 2, or triggering, is when exposure to previously tolerated substances causes the mast cells to degranulate, or release many inflammatory molecules such as histamines and cytokines into the cellular environment.' Claudia B. Miller and NIcholas Ashford.
filed under TILT, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
- Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Pesticide Exposure with Disproportionate Effects Increases Risk of Asthma
Pesticide Exposure with Disproportionate Effects Increases Risk of Asthma
(Beyond Pesticides, August 16, 2023) A study published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research further supports the indication that exposure to organophosphate insecticides (OPs) increases the risk of asthma among the U.S. general population.
The study finds that of the 6,009 participants, 842 participants have asthma. Upon examining urine samples of the 842 patients, four out of the six DAPs were present—dimethyl phosphate (DMP), diethyl phosphate (DEP), dimethyl thiophosphate (DMTP), and dimethyl dithiophosphate (DMDTP)—demonstrating a positive association with asthma in adults. The strongest associations between asthma and OPs occur more strongly among females, non-Hispanic White populations, and individuals lacking physical activity. “Our findings suggest that more urinary OPIs exposure may be associated with an increased risk of asthma in the general US adults.
filed under health/respiratory and organophosphates
- Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Serious Water Contamination from Pesticides Used on Pets, Ignored by Regulators, Again Confirmed
UK study
Serious Water Contamination from Pesticides Used on Pets, Ignored by Regulators, Again Confirmed
(Beyond Pesticides, August 23, 2023) The use of pesticides on pets for fleas and ticks (parasiticides) has been traced to environmental contamination in a study that confirms earlier work both by the authors and internationally, according to researchers Rosemary Perkins, a veterinary surgeon, and David Goulson, PhD at the University of Sussex. The results are published in their recent study, “To flea or not to flea: survey of UK companion animal ectoparasiticide usage and activities affecting pathways to the environment,” which concludes that, “The potential cumulative impact of parasiticide emissions into the environment from many millions of pets treated multiple times each year is of serious concern.” SNAP Comment: While fipronil is not registered in Canada, there are 100 imidacloprid containing pesticide products registered in Canada as of 13 September 2023.