Just Label It News Roundup 4-6

The number of chemicals applied to supermarket vegetable crops has increased by up to 17 times in 40 years, data shows. The organic food industry and scientists have warned that consumers are exposed to a “toxic cocktail” of pesticides. Also in the news, Monsanto was sued for allegedly selling toxic chemicals in Ohio. The lawsuit claims the company knowingly sold the toxic compounds for close to 40 years. The company vehemently denies the allegations. Despite the extensive cultivation of genetically engineered maize and a considerable number of scientific reports on its agro-environmental impact, the risks and benefits of GE maize are still being debated, and concerns about safety remain, according to a meta-analysis of 21 years of field data. Over 90 percent of pregnant women had detectable levels of glyphosate in an Indiana birth cohort study on glyphosate exposure. Meanwhile, in California, a proposed rule to protect children from pesticide exposure would require a buffer of one-quarter mile around schools and childcare facilities where the use of agricultural pesticides is limited.

Number of toxic chemicals applied to vegetables has risen 17 fold since the 1960s

The number of chemicals applied to supermarket vegetable crops has increased by up to 17 fold in 40 years, data shows, as the organic food industry and scientists have warned that consumers are exposed to a “toxic cocktail” of pesticides.

Monsanto Sued For Allegedly Selling Toxic Chemicals In Ohio

The lawsuit claims the company knowingly sold the toxic compounds for close to 40 years. The company vehemently denies the allegations.

Impact of genetically engineered maize on agronomic, environmental and toxicological traits: a meta-analysis of 21 years of field data

Despite the extensive cultivation of genetically engineered (GE) maize and a considerable number of scientific reports on its agro-environmental impact, the risks and benefits of GE maize are still being debated and concerns about safety remain.

Glyphosate exposure in pregnancy and shortened gestational length: a prospective Indiana birth cohort study

Over 90% of pregnant women had detectable glyphosate. From the study’s conclusion: “This is the first study of GLY [glyphosate] exposure in US pregnant women using urine specimens as a direct measure of exposure. We found that >90% of pregnant women had detectable GLY [glyphosate] levels and that these levels correlated significantly with shortened pregnancy lengths.”

Protecting children from pesticide exposure

California has proposed a rule to protect children from pesticide exposure by requiring a buffer of 0.25 miles around schools and childcare facilities where use of agricultural pesticides are limited.