May - August

5 August 2009
USA: Pesticides in well water linked to Parkinson’s
Residents in California’s Central Valley who drink water from private wells sited near fields that are sprayed with the insecticides propargite or chlorpyrifos are 90% more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease according to a recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives. Researchers from UCLA studied more than 700 people in the area, which is in the centre of California’s farm belt.
- news story
- study

2 August 2009
TURKEY: 74 pesticides banned
Turkey has announced it will be banning 74 pesticides because they are poisonous. The pesticides are among the 135 chemicals identified as illegal by the EU. The country will ban another 6 next year but may take longer to prohibit the remaining 55 which have been identified as being crucial to local farmers.
- news story

30 July 2009
Childhood leukemia linked to pesticides
Higher levels of common household pesticides have been found in the urine of children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) according to a study published in the August issue of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring. The study was carried out by researchers at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in America. Researchers also measured the levels of pesticides in the mothers’ urine with corresponding results. 41 children with ALL and their mothers were tested against a control of 41 healthy children and their mothers.
- news story

27 July 2009
USA: Two pesticides highly toxic to frogs
Chlorpyrifos and endosulfan are toxic to two species of frogs: Pacific treefrogs (Pseudacris regilla); and foothill yellow-legged frogs (Rana boylii) both found in the Sierra Nivada moutains. A recent study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry has shown both pesticides cause the tadpoles of both species to develop abnormalities with endosulfan also effecting the growth and development rates of both species.
- news story
- study

21 July 2009
Young children more vulnerable to pesticides
A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives has found children under the age of 7 are more vulnerable to pesticide toxicity than adults as they have significantly lower levels of an enzyme, paraoxonase, that protects against the toxic effects of certain pesticides. Genetics are also involved in determining how effective the enzyme is at breaking down and neutralising the pesticides – different children carry different genetic variations of the enzyme gene causing it to be present in higher or lower levels.
- news story

5 June 2009
INDIA: Human milk contains pesticides
Organochlorine pesticides have been found in both blood and milk samples collected from lactating women from Anupgarh, Rajasthan by researchers at Rajasthan University. Newborns are extremely vulnerable to pesticide exposure which can effect their stamina and cause poor growth. Anupgarh has India's largest foodgrain industry.
- news story

4 June 2009
AUSTRALIA: Farmers near Great Barrier Reef to be fined
From January farmers may face fines of up to $30 000 if they fail to reduce the impact of pesticides and fertilizers on the Great Barrier Reef. The Queensland Government aims to reduce pesticides entering the reef by 50 per cent over four years.
- news story

28 May 2009
Herbicides linked to pancreatic cancer
Farm workers who regularly work with certain herbicides have a significantly greater chance of developing pancreatic cancer than those who have not been exposed the same herbicides. A study published in the International Journal of Cancer has shown the herbicides pendimethalin and EPTC both increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
- news story

20 May 2009
USA: Pesticide exposure during pregnancy risky for baby
A new report by The Organic Centre highlights how exposure to pesticides during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature birth, low birth rate, neurological problems and diabetes. That First Step: Organic Food and a Healthier Future is a review of over 150 studies and shows how a balanced organic diet benefits childhood development
- news story

15 May 2009
UK: Sheep dip causes health problems in farmers
Even low levels of organophosphate sheep dip can cause health problems according to a study published by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 132 farm workers were monitored over a period of two years and were found to suffer from a number of health problems including fatigue, muscle ache, and impaired memory, response speed and motor control.
- news story

9 May 2009
Lindane to be banned under Stockholm Convention
Lindane is one of 9 dangerous agricultural and industrial chemicals to be banned under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. They will join the existing 12 "dirty dozen" substances listed under the 2001 Stockholm Convention
- news story

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