3 minute read
WHY RISK IT?
Dangers of Pesticides - Benefits of Organic
By Dr John Tickell
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What we expose our mind, mouth and body to can have a massive impact on our immediate and long term health and happiness.
On my last visit to the Okinawan islands, off the southern end of Japan, I was talking with farmers who were so proud that their healthy crops were not exposed to the spraying of poisonous pesticide chemicals, which had become so common in the western world. The Okinawans are the longest living, healthiest people on our planet. In our ‘developed’ country we may be living longer- but the last precious 1020 years are not necessarily healthy.
Many farmers are still respecting their forefathers‘ traditions of growing foods without added toxic pesticides, added hormones and antibiotics. Americans in Okinawa call this food “organic”. Okinawans call it “normal” !
A Century Ago
Humans began to create antipest formulations from poisonous chemicals which were spread on the crops to harm the pests and kill them. Medical Scientists realised that these toxic chemicals were also being absorbed by humans. DDT was one of the first popular toxic chemicals to be promoted as a Wonder Chemical, worldwide- causing cancers, infertility, nerve damages, miscarriages. This disaster pesticide was banned in the USA in 1972, by the newly formed EPA - Environmental Protection Agency.
Be Informed, Beware
Then the DDT era was replaced with the chemical industry building a war chest of mixtures of poisonous chemicals, which have not been adequately tested for safety, long term, on human beings. Pennsylvania State University noted that, “All pesticides must be toxic, or poisonous, to be effective against the pests they are intended to control - and hazardous to humans”.
Whilst the population of the world has doubled, we are now using 50 TIMES more poisonous, toxic pesticides!
The World Health Organisation (WHO), in collaboration with FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations) is responsible for assessing the risks to humans, of pesticides.
WHO noted that “Highly hazardous pesticides may have acute and chronic effects and pose particular risks for children”, So why don’t we ban them? Money before morals? The quote continues, “Their widespread use has caused health problems and fatalities in many parts of the world”.
The human dangers from pesticides also increase over time - it’s called “bio accumulation”. The acute effects
researched include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headaches, convulsions, coma. The chronic effects include nerve
disorders, blood disorders, hormonal and endocrine changes, tumours and malignant cancers.
Poisonous pesticides enter the human body through the skin, from topical products; the intestines from toxic food; and by breathing via our lungs. So please chose your food and skin and hair products wisely.
Dr John Tickell is an Australian doctor, author, former athlete and speaker who graduated from the University of Melbourne with a degree in Medicine.
Why Risk It?
In Australia, more than 7,000 chemical pesticides are “registered” for use in agriculture, horticulture, livestock, forestry, commercial premises, parks, homes and gardens. According to the Australian National Toxics Network, more than 80 of these are prohibited in the European Union - and over 10 of them are known or likely carcinogens.
Life is about choices for ourselves and our families - why risk it?
The benefits of Certified Organic are many, whether it be what you put on your skin and hair, breathe or eat. It’s about avoiding poisonous chemicals, benefiting from a higher level of pure nutrients, experiencing a cleaner taste, avoiding genetically manipulated food ingredients, avoiding hormones, antibiotics and drugs, preserving our ecosystems, reducing pollution and protecting our water and soil, preserving agricultural diversity, supporting local farming directly, keeping our children and future safe.
The extra you pay is worth it. This is to inform and empower you. A safer, healthier bottom line. Choose organic, as often as possible. I believe in it. The science is conclusive.
