Are Pesticides In Your Food?

Information on pesticides and the effects of them on your food.

What are Pesticides?

Pesticides are any mixture of substances used to kill, prevent,
repel or mitigate pests. Pests include insects, weeds, birds, mammals, fungi
and viruses. Pesticides are used to minimize pest damage to plants, humans or
animals. Although pesticides are excellent at controlling pests, certain types
of pesticides can be toxic and harmful. Caution should be taken when choosing
the right pest control solution for your garden.

Pesticides On Crops Leave
Residue On Food

Farmers and gardeners use pesticides on their plants, but these chemical
pesticides remain in the soil and water for a long time, since they cannot be
broken down easily. Pesticide residue can make its way into your food and water
long after plants have been treated. Trace amounts of pesticides will also
remain on your food after washing and peeling. With the health risks of
traditional, chemical pesticides, the organic movement emerged. Organic pesticidesoffer an alternative pest control
solution that’s natural, with no synthetic or man-made chemicals. Organic
pesticides are easily broken down in the environment into elements that nature
and plants can use. They take advantage of nature’s own defenses by using plant
extracts and plant oils for pest control. When buying organic pesticides, be
sure to read the labels carefully to ensure they are truly organic. Organic
pesticides are safe to use up to the day of harvest and can be used on trees,
vegetables, shrubs, flowers, and houseplants.

Effects Of Chemical
Pesticides

Every type of chemical pesticide has different health risks. Some
affect the nervous system, such as organophosphates and carbamates. Other
chemical pesticides can irritate the eyes and skin, while others are
carcinogens, which increase the risk of cancer. Other chemical pesticides can
affect the body’s endocrine system, which consists of glands that secrete
different types of hormones into the bloodstream. Hormones regulate functions,
such as mood, growth, metabolism, and development. There are many studies
linking chemical pesticide exposure to infertility, cancer, birth defects and
damage to the brain, as well as the nervous system. Plus, chemical pesticides
can exacerbate allergies and asthma.

Chemical Pesticides Affect
Children More Than Adults

Chemical pesticides affect infants and children more than
adults for several reasons. When you consider body weight, infants eat and
drink more than adults. This can increase their exposure to chemical
pesticides, especially in commercially grown fruits and vegetables, as well as
water. A child’s internal organs are developing and maturing, and chemical
pesticides block the absorption of important food nutrients. In certain stages
of a child’s development, pesticides can permanently alter the way their
biological system operates. Scientists have found a link between chemical
pesticides and ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Also, children
often put objects in their mouths and have direct contact with contaminated
surfaces, such as pets, carpets, lawns, and furniture, further increasing their
exposure to chemical pesticides.

What Can Consumers Do To
Reduce Pesticides In Their Food

Typically, the pesticide used will vary between plants, so
avoid repeat exposure by eating a variety of different foods. Wash, peel and
cook food. Unfortunately, washing may not be effective, because some pesticides
penetrate the skin of fruit or vegetable. Also, some pesticides are developed
to be water resistant. Alternatives to pesticides are available, including
genetic modification, using methods to interfere with insect breeding, and pest
control cultivation methods. These alternatives are often safer than
traditional, chemical pesticides. Also, the EPA continues to register
reduced-risk conventional pesticides. Organic pesticides are more ideal for
gardeners, since this form of pest control is easily accessible to consumers.

Organic Pesticides -
Derived From Plants

Organic pesticides use plant extracts for pest control. One
type of plant extract is pyrethrin, which is found in the seed cases of the
perennial plant pyrethrum, or the chrysanthemum. Pyrethrins are neurotoxins
that attack the nervous systems of insects. Another plant extract found in
organic pesticides is neem oil. This vegetable oil is made by pressing fruits
and seeds from the neem tree. Neem oil repels many pests, including mealy bugs,
aphids, thrips, whiteflies, Japanese beetles, ants, termites and more.

Organic Pesticides

If you’re searching for organic pesticides<img src="http://www.articlesfactory.com/pic/x.gif" alt="Psychology Articles" border="0",
be sure to choose products that display the Organic Materials Review Institute and
 USDA National Organic Program seals.
These products have been reviewed and approved for organic gardening. 

Article Tags:
Pest Control

Synthetic pigment

In many fruit water, fruit powder, fruit syrup, soft drinks, prepared wine, red and green silk, canned food in a large number of applications. 2007, “Lancet” published in a British journal study, intake of artificial coloring will increase children’s ADHD symptoms. To this end, the European Food Standards Agency asked manufacturers to take the initiative to disable the artificial food coloring. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved allowing the use of artificial coloring.In response, FAN Zhi hong said the children are the most in the crowd to avoid the intake of artificial colors. In order to please the children, many children are with a variety of artificial food coloring, which parents should be vigilant. When choosing food for children, should be too far from the bright colors of products.

High fructose corn syrup

This is a syrup made from corn, not only used in candy, carbonated beverages in more common. In one view, it will increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.U.S. experts believe that from a biochemical point of view, high fructose corn syrup and sucrose are sugar, not much different. American Medical Association recently issued a statement saying there was no sufficient evidence to support “high fructose corn syrup than sugar bad,” the point of view; if eating too much, they will harm the health. In response, FAN Zhi hong explained that in the strict sense, high fructose corn syrup does not count as food additives, in fact, as it is sugar and sugar have calories, but tastes more sweet, as well as water retention, drink this kind of beverage syrup preparation, people hardly full of feeling, unconsciously will drink, which may increase the risk of obesity.

Aspartame (a non sugar sweetener)

It is widely used as a sweetener flavor yogurt, canned fruit, rice puddings, jelly, bread and so on. It has triggered a variety of health concerns, such as cancer, epilepsy, headache, and intellectual influence. But large scale studies have shown that aspartame and these diseases are not directly linked. In the past 23 years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has confirmed 26 of its security. FAN Zhi hong, said aspartame is 200 times as sweet as sugar, used in the amount of food is minimal, Guer it did not increase in dietary sugar calories.

Sodium benzoate

British food experts believe that drinks containing both sodium benzoate and vitamin C these two components, the possible interaction of form benzene. Benzene is a carcinogen. But this argument has not been unanimous recognition of chemical experts. Sodium benzoate in the human body to its own metabolism, drug free urine through the daily discharge; fact that people every day to enter the body by inhalation of benzene exposure than drinking soft drinks and benzene to more fruit, vegetables and dairy products contain small amounts of benzene ; smoke, automobile exhaust and paint, detergents contain benzene. However, experts advise, sodium benzoate metabolism in the body parts primarily in the liver, the liver function of poor people suggested cutting back on drinks.

Sodium nitrite

In meat processing are widely used, sausage, canned meat and so with this additive. One theory is that the U.S. sodium nitrite intake can cause gastric cancer. In China, the use of sodium nitrite have strict requirements for the maximum amount of meat in it Kejia 0.15 grams per thousand, in the sausage add 0.03 grams allowed. If not always, a lot of eating processed meat products, can reduce the intake of sodium nitrite.