Pesticides. Hate them - but can't do without them. At least that's what most conventional commercial farmers claim. Most of the world's commercial growers and food producers would agree they'd choose a better alternative if it was available and comparable to the products they're currently using. It looks like they might get their wish.
A Possible Solution to a Global Problem
Chinese researcher Jing Quan Yu and his colleagues discovered that brassinosteroids might be an answer to this worldwide debacle (farmers use about 2.5 million tons of pesticides annually). Brassinosteroids are a group of steroidal plant hormones that were first identified in 1973. To determine the efficacy of these compounds to "metabolize" (break down) pesticides, Yu treated cucumber plants with 24- epibrassinolide (EBR) then treated the plants with different types of pesticides including chloropyrifos (CPF) - a broad spectrum commercial insectide. A broad-spectrum pesticide kills a whole range of pests. It works by attacking the pests' nervous system.
They found that EBR significantly reduced the pesticide's toxicity and also reduced the amount of residue on the plants. They also noted that EBR activated the plant's natural antioxidants such as glutathione 5 transferase, peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. Yu said: "Brassinolides may be a promising, environmentally friendly natural substance suitable for wide application to reduce the risks of human and environmental exposure to pesticides." They noted that brassinolides do not appear to be harmful to people or other animals. The landmark study was published in the 2009 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Nature and Adverse Effects of Pesticides on Humans
Pesticides are substances or compounds that are developed to control, destroy or inhibit the activities of pests. While some pesticides are available for domestic use, many more are available and used only for commercial use. In most developed countries around the world, these products are highly regulated by all levels of government.
Although pesticide poisoning due to consuming food with higher levels of pesticide residue is not lethal, it can produce debilitating symptoms including:
- headaches
- dizziness
- tiredness or fatigue
- blurred vision and
- vomiting
In some countries where government regulation concerning commercial pesticide use are particularly lax, farm workers face occupational pesticide poisoning.
Canadian Guidelines Regarding Domestic and Commercial Pesticide Use
In Canada, the Pest Control Product Act (PCPA) governs the registration and future use of pesticides. Under the authority of the Minister of Health, the Act stipulates that a pesticide cannot be registered unless its health and environmental risks are deemed acceptable and that there is no reasonable certainty that any harm to human health, future generations, or the environment will ensue as a result of such pesticide use.
To enforce the Act, Health Canada developed a "Maximum Residue Limit" (MRLs) for all produce and food products that have been treated with specific pesticides. The figures are typically set for raw foodstuffs and any processed foods that contains it. If the product contains MRLs which suggests unacceptable risks, it will not be approved for sale in the country. The MRLs appeared in Table II, Part B Division 15 of the Food and DrugRegulations can be viewed at: Maximum Residue Limits Regulated Under the Pest Control Product Act (PCPA) in the Health Canada Website.
References
Jing Quan Yu et al. "Brassinoides Promote Metabolism of Pesticides in Cucumber" Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2009;57(18):8406-8413
Jors Erick et al. "Occupational pesticide intoxication among farmers in Bolivia: a cross-sectional study"
Environmental Health 2006;5:10
"Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides" Consumer Product Safety Health Canada Website May 15, 2009
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