Shopping for Affordable Organic Foods Has Never Been Easier Jan 1, 2009
Others eat organic and natural foods because they believe they taste better since they have not come in contact with pesticides ... When foods are labeled "organic" it means they were produced by avoiding exposure to potentially harmful additives such as chemical pesticides, fertilizers and preservatives, which are also environmentally harmful as they can end up in the ground, air, water or food supply. (Fairfax Chronicle, VA)
Private pesticide safety class to be held Jan. 7 Dec 31, 2008
To legally purchase restricted-use-pesticides for use on your farm, you must have a Private Pesticide Applicator s License. However, since most pesticides are not on the restricted-use list, many farmers will not need a license ... For all the good that pesticides do for farmers and consumers in facilitating the production of high-quality commodities, we must also realize that there are risks. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Cancer Can Strike Man's Best Friend, Too Dec 31, 2008
He said environmental factors such as herbicides and pesticides on lawns and gardens could be to blame. Smoking around your animal is also on his list. (Click2Houston, TX)
Weeklies Reader: Captain Carpet to the rescue at hospital Dec 31, 2008
The bad news: Pesticides were detected in most shallow groundwater wells tested this summer in the Bitterroot Valley ... Water was checked for 95 different pesticides ... Christian Schmidt said 10 years ago, when the groundwater was last tested, five wells were tested for 20 pesticides. (Missoulian, MT)
Hitchcock estate home to rare scientific finds Dec 31, 2008
However, Hudsonia warns that this significant habitat is extremely sensitive to change in surface and groundwater chemistry as well as flow, and could be adversely affected by changes in the watershed, application of pesticides, altered drainage, dredging, or mechanical disturbance of the lake. Special attention, state the scientists, should be paid to contamination of surface or groundwater entering the pond. (Millbrook Round Table, NY)
Grounds expert brings a natural touch Dec 31, 2008
"In one gram of soil there are 1 billion living organisms. Soil is a dynamic living thing and all living things depend on it. Conventional farming, with herbicides and pesticides, tends to kill the soil," he said. "There is a continuum in nature. It starts from a desert and goes to coniferous forest. That is what nature is trying to do. With man-made chemicals that sets that back - moves it back toward the desert." Because organic fertilization is still relatively new, education is an important... (Ambler Gazette, PA)
Editorial: A half-million on spin, not science Dec 31, 2008
The impacts of ammonia must also be weighed against other stressors of the ecosystem, including exotic clams, pesticides and water diversions. In recent months, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board has started to more closely examine these questions, which is appropriate. (Sacramento Bee -- Opinion)
Honey Laundering Dec 30, 2008
The business is plagued by foreign hucksters and shady importers who rip off conscientious U.S. packers with honey diluted with sugar water or corn syrup--or worse, tainted with pesticides or antibiotics. Among the Seattle P-I's findings. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Pollution At Home Often Lurks Unrecognized Dec 30, 2008
The women had been part of a larger study conducted by the Silent Spring Institute in which their homes and urine samples were tested for 89 environmental contaminants -- including pesticides and chemicals found in plastics, cleaning products and cosmetics. An average of 20 chemicals was detected for each study participant. (MEDLINEplus)
Health Center Offers Christmas Tree-cycling in Waianae Dec 30, 2008
When mulch becomes compost, it adds nutrients to the soil and reduces the need for fertilizer, pesticides, and other chemicals. Chemicals such as these can filter into groundwater and pollute neighboring streams. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Purr-fectly 'Green' Cat Care Tips Dec 26, 2008
Just as added hormones or pesticides in your food aren't good for you, they're not good for your cat, either. Look for pet food that is natural, organic and FDA-certified. (Pekin Times, IL)
Hidden Pest Risks of Vacant Homes Dec 26, 2008
For more information on pests, pesticides and proper use, please visit www. PestFacts. (Pekin Times, IL)
Organic Alliance seeks to be player in global food market Dec 26, 2008
The Organic Trade Association (OTA), defines organic production as a system of farming that does not utilize toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. Organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives or irradiation. (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)
* The ugly difference between accepting and rejecting GM food Dec 26, 2008
In the 12 years since their commercial introduction, insect-resistant GM crops have increased yields while significantly decreasing the use of toxic pesticides. Herbicide-tolerant plants have decreased herbicide use and encouraged the widespread adoption of no-till farming, markedly reducing topsoil loss and promoting soil fertility. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Al Meyerhoff; lawyer was David to corporate Goliaths Dec 25, 2008
"To pressure the chemical industry to agree to tougher standards on pesticides, Mr. Meyerhoff invoked a little-used Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act amendment that prohibited animal carcinogens in processed foods."The tactic forced a crisis requiring the industry to negotiation," Mr. Meyerhoff later recounted. It led to the Food Quality Protection Act, which resulted in the ban of several dozen carcinogenic pesticides.In 1998, Mr. Meyerhoff joined Coughlin Stoia, a major class-action law firm. There,... (Boston Globe)
Eating For Energy Dec 25, 2008
Organic foods are free of chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers and have been proven to have a higher nutrient content than conventionally grown foods. Food additives, genetic modification and ionizing radiation are not used in the processing of organic foods. (Suite101.com)
Water for plants = less for humans Dec 22, 2008
Excellent for children's play areas or a patio spillover area, turf is the biggest user of water and pesticides. Irrigate efficiently. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
Morocco and Mexico sign two cooperation agreements Dec 22, 2008
Morocco and Mexico also agreed to guarantee that animal-derived products exported to each other are free of hormones, drugs, pesticides, toxins and any other substance harmful to human and animal health. In this regard, they will swap information on manufacturing and processing methods of products of animal origin. (Yahoo News -- Morocco)
EPA should test demasculinizing pollutants collectively, NRC says Dec 22, 2008
I neglected to mention that the cumulative neuro-toxic effects of pesticides, and other related chemicals, are also probably behind the rise in various learning deficits and spectrum disorders in children ... Suspected EDs are found in pesticides (agriculture, home, pet (flea collars, etc ... Note that in 2007, an attempt to honor Rachael Carson for her work on pesticides was blocked by Republicans in Congress and their friends in the Chemical Lobby. (Science News)
Youngest often most vulnerable to toxic air Dec 22, 2008
Doctors will test women and children for a variety of environmental toxicants, including lead, mercury, pesticides, cancer-causing PCBs and perchlorate, a component of rocket fuel linked to thyroid disease that contaminates the water of up to 40 million Americans. Landrigan says the study's size and design make it especially reliable. (USA Today)
New gas wells stir wastewater concerns Dec 21, 2008
Among the chemical additives are formaldehyde, a human carcinogen; various acids; a variety of petroleum compounds and several pesticides that are toxic to fish and other aquatic life ... " The drilling companies provide the DEP with lists of chemicals they add to the water but not the amounts of specific mixtures, claiming that is proprietary information. Four of the chemical compounds are complex pesticides that scientific assessments have determined are "very toxic to fish ... " One,... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Food-Related Charities Dec 21, 2008
It grows a quarter-million pounds of food without chemical pesticides, and donates half to local shelters. The rest is sold through CSA shares and fund-raising products. (Epicurious.com)
Scientists to EPA: Risks of Chemicals That Alter Male Hormones Should Be Analyzed Together Dec 20, 2008
By only doing one, we underestimate the risk," said Deborah Cory-Slechta, a professor of environmental medicine at University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry who chaired the National Research Council's phthalates committee. The recommendations could have far-reaching implications beyond phthalates, transforming how the EPA determines to what degree people will be exposed to a variety of chemicals and pollutants. The committee said other compounds, such as pesticides, also linked to... (Scientific American)
EU deal on new pesticide controls Dec 20, 2008
The EU is moving towards stricter controls on pesticides after European Parliament negotiators reached a deal with the 27 EU member states ... If adopted, the legislation will let member states license pesticides at national level or through mutual recognition ... The new rules are meant to replace the EU's 1991 pesticides legislation. (BBC News -- Europe)
Local organic shoppers buck national trend Dec 20, 2008
Organic products, which are touted to contain no pesticides or chemical fertilizers, are often more expensive. Ms. Nichols said she'd rather save money by reducing her driving and buying less instead of reducing her purchases of organic products. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Bush's blow to reproductive rights Dec 20, 2008
Editor - I am deeply disappointed that President-elect Obama has chosen as secretary of agriculture Tom Vilsack, who represents no change and who is the ally of Monsanto, undeclared pesticides and herbicides in our food supply and the ungodly genetically modified foods. I would not have worked so hard on the Obama campaign had I known he would not make changes in regards to making our environment safer from chemicals and GMOs. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Lebanon resident gets transplant, another waits Dec 20, 2008
She lived north of town, next to a farm that was sprayed with pesticides ... But now, with a diagnoses of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), she thinks back to those pesticides. (Lebanon Express, OR)
Deck the halls with local greenery: Christmas trees are grown right here in the neighborhood Dec 20, 2008
"Pine shoot moss grows into the stem of the tree as larvae. It's a hard disease to control because pesticides do not get at it, and it becomes impossible to kill the larvae." The mortality rate for seedlings at Collier's farm is 10. "We plant 8,000 trees and probably lose around 700 or 800," he says. (Hillsdale Independent, NY)
Growing a new model for farming Dec 19, 2008
Conwell says that practice can become a downward spiral, leading farmers to become more reliant on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to grow a reliable harvest. People these days are looking for well-grown, clean produce, said Casey. (Half Moon Bay Review, CA)
Government Fails to Assess Potential Dangers of Nanotechnology Dec 19, 2008
"What this means is that we are learning from past lessons with some of the pesticides or [genetically modified] foods that we do need to show that these materials are going to be safe all the way through their life cycle[s]," says toxicologist Raymond David of the chemical company, BASF Corporation, which also signed the letter. "One of the risks is a risk that the consumer will not accept because of not having understood what happens when people are exposed and what are the downstream... (Scientific American)
EPA needs to consider effects of chemical barrage Dec 19, 2008
Phthalates and other hormone-disrupting chemicals pollute the air, water and dust and are found in hundreds of consumer products including bug spray, perfume, pesticides, shower curtains, food containers, and plastic toys, according to a report released today from the National Research Council, which advises the government on science policy ... Although the report focused primarily on phthalates, Cory-Slechta note that other products, such as pesticides used in food, also lower testosterone... (USA Today)
Waste water discharged into Wahiawa Reservoir Dec 19, 2008
The public is also reminded that a "brown water advisory"'' is still in effect for coastal waters of the islands of O'ahu and Kaua'i due to overflowing cesspools, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, and associated flood debris. In your voice. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Valley pesticide use has plummeted Dec 18, 2008
Fresno County, the state's top agricultural producer and largest user of pesticides, recorded an 18% drop in 2007, according to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation's annual pesticide-use report released Wednesday ... Fresno County, the state's top agricultural producer and largest user of pesticides, recorded an 18% drop in 2007, according to an annual pesticide-use report ... A sign marks a field of head cabbage during the spraying of pesticides near Chualar. (Fresno Bee)
Aubergine battle Dec 18, 2008
"I used to grow non-BT cotton, but had to use much more pesticides so I'm very happy with this," he says. "I still have to spray pesticides but only five or six times - a lot less than the 15-16 times I had to spray the non-BT variety.". (BBC News)
* Control Yuan pans DOH failure Dec 18, 2008
The Control Yuan yesterday proposed corrective measures for the Department of Health (DOH) for failing to quarantine fruit imported from Vietnam that was contaminated with excessive pesticides before they were put on the market. Control Yuan members Cheng Jen-hung ({) and Frank Wu (ds) said in their report that DOH officials should not let fruit importers claim their merchandise at customs before the result of pesticide residue tests is released. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Farm officials praise new ag secretary pick Dec 18, 2008
(AP) The amount of pesticides sprayed in the nation's most productive farm state is dropping ... About 172 million pounds of pesticides were applied last year, about 8 ... The amount of high-toxicity pesticides also fell. (OregonLive, OR -- News)
Praise For Ag Nominee From Disparate Groups Dec 18, 2008
Historically, the agriculture industry - with its heavy uses of land, water, genetically modified crops and pesticides - has been seen as being at cross-purposes with environmentalists, who characterize those farming practices as harmful to fragile ecosystems and species. With his push in Iowa for more research into biofuels and wind energy as well as economic development of far-flung communities, Vilsack is something of a centrist - seemingly a prerequisite in an administration that puts a high... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Tree expert says don't let your Christmas tree get thirsty Dec 18, 2008
Not a lot of pesticides are used when growing Christmas trees, and there isn't any injury to the land. They are a very soft crop to plant. (Great Falls Prairie Star, MT)
DATCP Board Hears Preliminary CIG Report Dec 18, 2008
- Approved a scope statement for revision of ATCP 29, Pesticides Use and Control. The revision will amend current pesticide rules, as necessary, related to aquatic pesticide applications, structural pesticide applications, and residential chemigation systems to ensure consistency with other rules. (Agri-View, WI)
Is Bamboo Flooring Better for the Planet Than Traditional Hardwood? Dec 17, 2008
Bamboo s environmental benefits arise largely out of its ability to grow quickly in some cases three to four feet per day without the need for fertilizers, pesticides or much water. Bamboo also spreads easily with little or no care. (Scientific American)
What's Behind The Mystery Cancer Cluster? Dec 17, 2008
It makes specialty chemicals that are used in a variety of industries - from plastics to pesticides. It has 140 facilities in 27 countries. (CBS News -- Early Show)
Help your pet avoid the perils of Christmas Dec 17, 2008
It quickly becomes a breeding pool for all kinds of bacteria; it also might contain fertilizer, pesticides or other chemicals from the tree. Prevent slurping by stretching aluminum foil across the bowl (cats hate that) and then covering it with the tree skirt, taped to the trunk. (USA Today -- Life)
EPA files complaint in Florence pesticide death Dec 17, 2008
The EPA complaint said that Swanson s Pest Management Inc. illegally used pesticides by spraying at nearly three times the allowed rate and failing to properly ventilate the home before the owners returned ... 5 hours after the pesticides were applied ... The complaint also contains allegations the company applied pesticides at another home prior to the application that led to the woman s death. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Joe the Discloser -- Government Transparency in 2008 Dec 17, 2008
Stephen Johnson, Administrator of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), made many decisions in 2008 deemed questionable by critics, including several rules relating to farms and pesticides. For instance, EPA's late 2007 exempting factory farms from reporting air pollution from animal waste was the subject of 2008 congressional that discussed how large chicken farms and other concentrated animal feeding operations are major sources of pollution. (OMB Watch)
An Assault on Public Protections: Regulatory Policy News in 2008 Dec 17, 2008
Yet the committee sent over 600 recommendations for action to EPA on issues like particulate matter, ozone, lead, pesticides, mercury regulation, and farm worker protections over the period that GAO reviewed. Before the White House watered down a new rule to expand protection for the North Atlantic right whale, as mentioned above, it delayed finalizing the rule while the office of Vice President Dick Cheney and other executive offices questioned the findings of scientists at NOAA. NOAA proposed... (OMB Watch)
Lewisville: Roadside sales of animals, loose dogs in pickup beds prohibited Dec 17, 2008
For example, he said, when pesticides are being sprayed in the back yard, the dog owner should be allowed to have dogs in the front yard, at least for a brief period of time. Durham also expressed doubt that the outlawing of the sale of dogs on roadways and in parking lots would be of much benefit, but still voted in favor. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
BU report traces veterans' Gulf War illness to experimental drug Dec 16, 2008
As a combat medic during the Gulf War, Batista, who now lives in Fitchburg, stood in clouds of pesticides and, under orders, took a little white pill twice a day as a precaution against a chemical attack ... The drug, pyridostigmine bromide, and certain pesticides used during the war to keep fleas and sand flies at bay affect the central nervous system, the report found, and are associated with memory and focus problems, persistent headaches, respiratory and digestion problems, and "widespread... (Boston Globe)
California's Primary Water Supply Slashed Dec 16, 2008
Invasive plants and aquatic animals are upsetting chemical and biological balances in the Delta, toxic runoff from pesticides and wastewater treatment plant discharges are flowing through Delta waters and nonnative predator fish introduced for sport fishing have altered the natural food web. "Public water agencies are committed to the rehabilitation of fish populations in the Delta. We firmly believe that the only way to be successful is to focus on all of the factors impacting the species --... (PR Newswire)
High Pesticide Levels Found In Fruit-based Drinks In Some Countries Outside United States Dec 16, 2008
16, 2008) In the first worldwide study of pesticides in fruit-based soft drinks, researchers in Spain are reporting relatively high levels of pesticides in drinks in some countries, especially the United Kingdom and Spain ... However, regulators have paid less attention to the presence of pesticides in soft drinks made from fruits ... The scientists used a sophisticated lab test to measure levels of a wide range of common pesticides in more than 100 fruit-based soft drink samples from 15... (Science Daily)
The politics of food safety Dec 16, 2008
It has plenty of approved uses in pesticides, packaging materials and plastic dinnerware. These leach baseline levels into the food supply. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Decommissioning old wells protects water quality (10) Dec 15, 2008
This can allow surface runoff to flow directly to the aquifer, often carrying organic wastes, fertilizers and other chemicals such as pesticides and petroleum products into the groundwater. Small animals can fall into these wells, further adding to the contamination, Shelton said. (Sioux Falls Tri-State Neighbor, SD)
Families uphold sturdy tradition at Christmas tree farms Dec 14, 2008
"The cost of fertilizer is up a little bit, but pests were less of a problem this growing season so we needed [a smaller quantity of] pesticides. It balanced out in terms of expenses," he said. Smolak, who is the third generation in his family to manage Smolak Farms, believes that a problematic economy may actually help his sales. (Boston Globe)
Purr-fectly 'Green' Cat Care Tips Dec 14, 2008
Just as added hormones or pesticides in your food aren't good for you, they're not good for your cat, either. Look for pet food that is natural, organic and FDA-certified. (Pekin Times, IL)
Dreaming of a green Christmas? Dec 14, 2008
But they often require pesticides and must be shipped, which consumes fuel. When a cut holiday tree is past its glory, it can be recycled into mulch. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Using owls to keep rodents in check Dec 14, 2008
For Jim Fox, keeping the owl family close will reap big benefits: They eat about two dozen rats and mice every night, and there's no need for pesticides. Hundreds of owls and hawks who eat poisoned rodents die every year. (KHOU.com, TX)
Paul Shaffer receives Order of Canada Dec 14, 2008
Her Excellency is so smooth. She said, See what music, comedy can do. (Lake Superior News)
ORLANDO: Duct Tape Found Stuck To Mouth Of Child's Remains... Dec 13, 2008
Investigators also removed pesticides and pool chemicals from the Anthonys' house, which is less than a half-mile from the discovery scene. CASEY'S PARENTS MAY EVENTUALLY FACE CHARGES. (The Drudge Report)
Get the lowdown on celebrity diets Dec 13, 2008
The pesticides on nonorganic fruits and veggies also inhibit hormonal activity in the body, leading to weight gain, claims trainer Kirsch, who has also worked with Heidi Klum ... While it's definitely wise to avoid exposure to potentially harmful pesticides and eating organic can be healthy, there's no research to show that organic foods actually help with weight loss. (CNN -- Health)
Bringing up baby safe and green Dec 12, 2008
Dr. Jennifer Shu, an Atlanta-based pediatrician and spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, agreed that it does make sense to limit serving foods grown with pesticides, but she cautioned moms and dads not to go overboard. "What I tell parents is, when you're choosing the organic types of products, look for things that your child will be ingesting or eating," Shu stated. (CNN -- Health)
HORN OF AFRICA Dec 12, 2008
High oil prices have also meant farmers have to pay more for fertilisers and pesticides and to transport their crops. The Federation launched an appeal on Thursday for 113 million Swiss francs ($94. (AlertNet)
Morocco and Mexico sign two cooperation agreements Dec 12, 2008
Morocco and Mexico also agreed to guarantee that animal-derived products exported to each other are free of hormones, drugs, pesticides, toxins and any other substance harmful to human and animal health. In this regard, they will swap information on manufacturing and processing methods of products of animal origin. (Yahoo News -- Morocco)
Pesticides Are In For It Now Dec 12, 2008
To combat pest organisms, fruit and vegetables are sprayed with plant protection agents, less euphemistically called pesticides ... The new method to determine pesticides also uses what is known as a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (QTOF-MS), but how do the chemical compounds get into the mass spectrometer ... Normally the pesticides in samples of fruit and vegetables need to be extracted before they can be analysed in a mass spectrometer. (Science Daily)
Technical advisor chosen to study Olin site Dec 12, 2008
Chemical blowing agents, stabilizers, pesticides, antioxidants and other specialty chemicals for the rubber and plastics industry were produced by several companies at the facility for 30 years. The facility closed in 1986, but the property is still owned by Olin Corporation. (Wilmington Advocate, MA)
Floating panels Dec 12, 2008
"In addition to our existing practices in the vineyard and winery, including eliminating pesticides, using biodiesel, recycling water, reducing packaging and using recycled materials, the solar program is another important step in my family's goal to become carbon neutral," Bundschu said. The winery plans to eventually receive 100 percent of its energy needs from solar, according to Bundschu. (Sonoma Index-Tribune, CA)
Waste issue continues Dec 12, 2008
Unfortunately, these environmental impacts are not the only ones Kettleman residents bear: They are exposed to pesticides, additional diesel pollution from Highway 5 and Highway 41 and overall poor air quality. Adding insult to this injury, the county has systematically excluded the Spanish-speaking and Latino residents from their rigged decision-making process regarding the dump. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
