Banish Toxic Chemicals from your Home

There is no reason for people to sit in the dark about information mounting about the toxic affects of synthetic pesticides. The following excerpt is from an article on Today Health of MSNBC.com wriitten By Leah Zerbe of Rodale.com

"5 toxic chemicals you should banish from your home"

"2. Synthetic pesticides: Chemical weed and bug killers both fit under this category and should be avoided both inside and outside of your house. (And dont' fall for the ones that pretend to be "natural.") Researchers link herbicides to various forms of cancer, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; insecticides have been connected to brain damage in kids.

“This is a good time of the year to resolve not to use pesticides on lawns and gardens,” says Phil Landrigan, MD, an internationally recognized leader in public health, director of Mount Sinai's Children's Environmental Health Center, and Rodale.com advisor. “A few dandelions or buttercups or other little flowers in the middle of the lawn are not unsightly.”


Better alternative: Combating an indoor bug problem is as simple as cleaning up crumbs, sealing food in containers, and using wood shims and a caulking gun to fill pest entry points. If you’re spending big bucks on chemicals for a turflike lawn, reconsider. Pesticides and chemical fertilizers kill the health of the soil and create a lawn that allows for little rainwater absorption, which contributes to flooding. Try replacing some sod with plants native to your area; they don’t require as much water and maintenance.

If you’re dead-set on the idea of a perfect grassy lawn, get out there and weed by hand or with organic methods. The extra exercise will help you burn off your winter love handles. Check OrganicGardening.com for advice on chemical-free lawn care, and see our story on chemcial-free fixes for common lawn problems."

You can bet my lawn is organic.


Leah Zerbe of Rodale.com  follows up the last article with

"7 More Household Toxins You Should Banish from Your Home" by Leah Zerbe of Rodale.com    touches on the harms of Roundup.

Seven household toxins you can easily evict from your home
#2: Roundup
You probably know that using Roundup (glyphosate) and other pesticides in your lawn and garden adds chemicals to your soil and water. But did you know that Roundup used on and around food crops also ends up inside the food you eat, according to plant pathologist Don Huber, PhD, professor emeritus at Purdue University. That's problematic because scientists are learning that Roundup affects defensive enzymes our bodies use to keep us healthy. Roundup also reduces a plant's ability to take up vital micronutrients that humans require for survival.

Better alternative: Corn, soy, and canola are common crops that have been genetically engineered to withstand heavy dousings of Roundup, and foods containing these ingredients tend to contain higher levels of Roundup than other crops do. To avoid genetically engineered (GE) foods and Roundup in your food, buy organic. If your find yourself reaching for chemical products like Roundup to zap weeds on your property, check out Organic Gardening's organic weed-control tips for safer alternatives."

Here is some concerning research about Roundup.


Check out pictures of what grows in my lawn area when I can keep my Mom from mowing everything down.

I identified these flowers using NewHampshireWildflowers.com

Dr. Huber's Warning...

Berlin Sept. 2, 2009. The labyrinth was created by the Federal Institute of Risk Assessment to raise awareness for healthy eating and dangers from harmful substances in food.

Remember when GE alfalfa was released?   

"What's the urgency?", Huber asked. 

A multimillion dollar company breathing down the president's back maybe? Wait for scientific information that would ruin Roundup Ready crops forever?

Never! Let's ruin our soil, crops, livestock and sustainability instead.

"On January 17, internationally recognized plant pathologist Dr. Don Huber, wrote a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack warning of the discovery of a new pathogen and a possible link between Roundup Ready® (GMO) corn and soybeans and severe reproductive problems in livestock as well as widespread crop failure.

Less than 3 weeks later, the Obama administration approved 2 new Roundup Ready® GMO crops, set to be planted this spring... Read on about Dr. Huber's discovery. If it gives you pause, sign the Food Democracy Now! petition to ask President Obama and Sec. Vilsack to stop these seeds from being planted until further research is done.

Roundup Ready® seeds are genetically engineered to be resistant to Monsanto’s top selling weed killer Roundup, which is made up of Glyphosate and a trademarked formula of component chemicals. In 2007, more than 185 million pounds of Glyphosate were sprayed on America's soils and crops and that amount has only continued to rise as more weeds develop resistance to Glyphosate."
Source: Food Demoncracy Now!

According to the EPA’s Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage 2006-2007 report, Glyphosate is the most commonly used pesticide active ingredient in the agricultural market.  Market estimates in the Home and Garden Market sector are 5-8 million pounds, which means we are depleting our own back yards of beneficial microorganisms and mercury.

http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/pestsales/07pestsales/usage2007_3.htm

Most Commonly Used Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredients, Agricultural Market Sector, 2007, 2005, 2003, and 2001 Estimates

(Ranked by Range in Millions of Pounds of Active Ingredient)

Active Ingredient		Type		2007				2005				2003				2001
				Rank		Range		Rank		Range		Rank		Range		Rank		Range
Glyphosate		H		1		180-185		1		155-160		1		128-133		1		85-90

World and U.S. Pesticide Expenditures

User Level by Pesticide Type, 2007 Estimates

World and U.S. Pesticide Expenditures at User Level

By Pesticide Type, 2006 and 2007 Estimates

Year		World Market				U.S. Market				U.S. Percentage of World Market
Type		Mil $		%		Mil $		%
2006
Herbicides (1)		14,247		40		5,673		48		40
Insecticides		10,259		29		4,091		35		40
Fungicides		7,987		22		1,165		10		15
Other (2)		3,320		9		855		7		26
Total		35,814		100		11,784		100		33
2007
Herbicides (1)		15,512		39		5,856		47		38
Insecticides		11,158		28		4,337		35		39
Fungicides		9,216		23		1,375		11		15
Other (2)		3,557		9		886		7		25
Total		39,443		100		12,454		100		32

http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/pestsales/07pestsales/sales2007.htm

According to the USDA and EPA, the United States spends thousands of dollars a year, totaling nearly half of the world’s expenditures on pesticides.  



"A growing body of scientific evidence has shown that the overuse of Roundup and Glyphosate has created severe micronutrient deficiencies in the soil and plants causing an epidemic of diseases, such as Goss's Wilt on Roundup Ready® corn and Sudden Death Syndrome in Roundup Ready® soybeans."





"Recently a team of top U.S. scientists discovered an organism associated with this rise in plant diseases in Roundup Ready® corn and soybeans which form the foundation for animal livestock feed in the U.S. The organism is observable only by an electron microscope, and was previously unknown to science."

"a replicating and reproducing hitchhiker"... "it's infectious to cattle, pigs, horses, and poultry. It will kill a fertilized egg in 24 to 48 hours" Dr. Huber says.


"This new organism, along with nutritional deficiencies in the Roundup Ready GMO corn and soybean feed, has been associated with a sharp rise in animal infertility including a 20% failure to conceive rate among cattle and hogs and up to a 45% rate of spontaneous abortions within cattle and dairy operations."

Dr. Huber states, "there is direct concern with the continue use or abuse of the system".

 

"In response to the published and emerging science, Dr. Huber wrote a letter to Secretary Vilsack asking him to delay his decision to approve Roundup Ready® alfalfa expressing his grave concerns about the long-term implications of more Roundup Ready® crops on the market."

Huber boasts his concern about Roundup Ready Alfalfa.  In this comment he speaks slowly and definitely, pausing almost, to sink in the point, with finger wagging:  "When you take our number one forage crop and you place it in any kind of jeopardy, we have a tremendous impact on the sustainability of our animal production." He then goes on to state concern for pollinators...





Huber also goes on to say that Roundup ready crops do not have the same nutritional values than non Roundup Ready product.  His concerns were sent to Secretary Vilsack before GE Alfalfa was released, but DID VILSACK LISTEN?! No, and why would he when as Iowa state governor, he originated the seed pre-emption bill in 2005, effectively blocking local communities from regulating where genetically engineered crops would be grown. BAD CHOICE in COMPANY MR. PRESIDENT!

Say NO to Genetically Modified Alfalfa and Roundup

Especially when it has not been properly researched or tested for health or environmental impacts. Please help me in not letting GE plants be as easily registered as pesticides and "approved" before any proof of safety is even had. Our heritage plants will thank you!

If you have animals then you know how important this forage crop is.

Visit the Northeastern Organic Farming Association for an idea on how to help. 

Contact the white house www.whitehouse.gov/contact and voice your concerns

Contact USDA/APHIS who is pressuring the USDA to approve the use of Monsanto's Genetically Engineered (GE) Roundup Ready ™ Alfalfa in time for Spring planting
Email: biotechquery@aphis.usda.gov or call 1-301-851-2300 and record your comments

GE Alfalfa or Roundup/Glyphosate ready alfalfa?...

In the year 2000, the U.S. used 18 million pounds of glyphosate. How about we do not support the use of more?

Glyphosphate, herbicide, and the active ingredient in Roundup, has demonstrated cancer, nervous system damage, kidney and liver damage and effects on the reproductive system. 

According to French researchers Nora Benachor and Gilles Eric Sellini, of the University of Caen, diluted Roundup, which contains glyphosate, causes death of cells of human umbilical cords, embryos, and placenta.

NOT CONVINCED?????

GLYPHOSATE. Cox Caroline. Journal of Pesticide Reform, 2004. Vol. 24 (4).

Glyphosate herbicides are the most commonly used herbicides in the world. They have been proven to cause cancer, birth problems, and disorders in children. Glyphosate herbicides also cause genetic damage in aquatic life due to its ability to drift from the application site into water sources.

EFFECTS OF ROUNDUP AND GLYPHOSATE FORMULATIONS ON INTRACELLULAR TRANSPORT, MICROTUBULES AND ACTIN FILAMENTS IN XENOPUS LAEVIS MELANOPHORES
Hedberg D., Wallin M. Toxicology in Vitro. 2010, 24(3):795-802

Results of this study show that glyphosate compounds inhibit intracellular transport but are pH-dependent. However the surfactants of Roudup increase the permeability of cell membranes allowing uptake of chemical substances at normal physiological pH. Therefore the surfactant ingredients of chemical formulations should be considered when regulations are proposed.

GLYPHOSATE FORMULATIONS INDUCE APOPTOSIS AND NECROSIS IN HUMAN UMBILICAL, EMBRYONIC AND PLACENTAL CELLS. Benachour, N, et al. 2009. Chemical Research in Toxicology 22(1):97-105

A landmark toxicological study on the various formulations of glyphosate (Roundup) found that in even using dilute levels of active and inactive ingredients, cell death occurred within 18 or 24 hours in human umbilical, embryonic and placental cells. The authors from the University of Caen, France suggested further dilution and stricter monitoring standards. In important findings, they discover that most glyphosate-based pesticides endanger fetal health.

HERBICIDE FACTSHEET: GLYPHOSATE (ROUNDUP). Caroline Cox, Journal of Pesticide Reform, Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, 1998.

“Glyphosate-containing products are acutely toxic to animals, including humans. Symptoms include eye and skin irritation, headache, nausea, numbness, elevated blood pressure, and heart palpitations. The surfactant used in a common glyphosate product (Roundup) is more acutely toxic than glyphosate itself the combination of the two is yet more toxic.”

OXIDATIVE STRESS RESPONSES OF RATS EXPOSED TO ROUNDUP AND ITS ACTIVE INGREDIENT GLYPHOSATE El-Shenawy N.S. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2009, 28(3):379-385

This study examined cytotoxicity of Roundup and its fundamental substance glyphosate. “The results suggest that excessive antioxidant disruptor and oxidative stress is induced with Roundup” rather “than glyphosate.”

THE EFFECT OF SUB-ACUTE AND SUB-CHRONIC EXPOSURE OF RATS TO THE GLYPHOSATE-BASED HERBICIDE ROUNDUP Çağlar S., Kolankaya D. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2008, 25(1):57-62

The effect of Roundup in the liver of rats was tested in the study. Liver damage was measured by biochemical markers and an investigation of liver tissue histopathologically. Mild effects on liver enzyme activities were found: concluding that Roundup induces hepatic toxicity.

INFLUENCE OF GLYPHOSATE AND ITS FORMULATION (ROUNDUP®) ON THE TOXICITY AND BIOAVAILABILITY OF METALS TO CERIODAPHNIA DUBIA. Tsui M., Wang W. and Chu L.M. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 138(1):59-68 (2005) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15878796

The adverse chemical affects between glyphosate and availability of heavy metal to freshwater crustacean, Ceriodaphnia dubia (water flea) were examined in the study. In this accumulative study it was found that the uptake of some metals, including silver, was halted while others, like mercury, increased notably. These authors from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, “strongly suggests that glyphosate and its commercial formulations can control the toxicity as well as the bioavailability of heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems where both groups of chemicals can co-occur.”

NEW EVIDENCES OF ROUNDUP (A (R)) (GLYPHOSATE FORMULATION) IMPACT ON THE PERIPHYTON COMMUNITY AND THE WATER QUALITY OF FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS. Vera MS, et al., ECOTOXICOLOGY 19(4): 710-724 (2010) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20091117

This study found that Roundup (A (R)) significantly increases the total phosphorus in freshwater systems leading to eutrophication, (“the gradual increase in the concentration of phosphorus, nitrogen, and other plant nutrients” ) and a shift in the water typology. Roundup also delayed the colonization of periphytic organism colonization (consult diagram on previous page). The eleven authors of this study conlude: “Based on our findings it is clear that agricultural practices that involve the use of herbicides such as Roundup affect non-target organisms and the water quality, modifying the structure and functionality of freshwater ecosystems.”

LOW TOXIC HERBICIDE ROUNDUP INDUCES MILD OXIDATIVE STRESS IN GOLDFISH TISSUES Lushchak OV. Et al., Chemosphere, 76(7):932-937 (2009) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19450865

The formula used in Roundup contains glyphosate as the active ingredient and polyethoxylene as one of the additives. This study was conducted to determine the severity of toxicity of Roundup in the environment where it may accumulate and persist for a long time. Even though glyphosate is considered to be low toxic to animals by the WHO, this was the first study of this nature conducted on goldfish exposed to Roundup.

Results found that Roundup suppressed four major enzymes and enzyme groups in fish tissues. These enzymes are responsible for cell repair, detoxification, and protection of the red blood cells against oxidative damage. For example the enzymes responsible for cell repair, superoxide dismutase (SOD), “activities were reduced by 51-68% in brain, 58-67% in liver and 33-53% in kidney of Roundup treated fish.”

BIOACCUMULATION OF GLYPHOSATE AND ITS FORMULATION ROUNDUP ULTRA IN LUMBRICULUS VARIEGATUS AND ITS EFFECTS ON BIOTRANSFORMATION AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES. Contardo-Jara V., Klingelmann E., Wiegand C. Environmental Pollution. 2009, 157(1):57-63 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2008.07.027

This study tests the “effects on biotransformation and antioxidant enzymes” on one type of worm, Lumbriculus variegates. Results of this study add to growing concern that it is the Roundup formulation that is more toxic to this organism than simply the active ingredient, glyphosate.

LARVAL RESPONSES OF THREE MIDWESTERN ANURANS TO CHRONIC, LOW-DOSE EXPOSURES OF FOUR HERBICIDES. Williams BK and Semlitsch RD, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 58(3):819-827 (2010) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19768486

This study exposed three common species of tadpoles to conservative levels of atrazine, S-metolachlor, and glyphosate (end-use herbicides) throughout the larval period. The glyphosate product Roundup WeatherMax(A (R)) resulted in 80% mortality of western chorus frog tadpoles and lengthened the larval period for American toads.

By the way. The EPA is releasing a new "List of Chemicals Evaluated for Carcinogenic Potential" sometime next week.  Or so they say.  Do not forget to ask for a copy of this cancer causing pesticide list!! http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/carlist/