Latest Pesticide Data Bad News For Toddlers
Jun 11 2004
New pesticide residue results [1] reveal continuing problems with high
levels of pesticide residues in fruits popular with children,
including apples, pears and grapes. But processed baby food is
completely residue free.
A quarter of apples and pears tested contained more than one pesticide
residue, and some contained up to six different types of pesticide,
some above the maximum residue levels (MRLs) [2]. Results from the
Government's National School Fruit Scheme, also out this week, showed
similar results. Dicofol, a possible carcinogen and suspected
`gender-bending' chemical, was found above legal levels in two
Brazilian apple samples from the school fruit scheme. A toxic
organophosphate, dimethoate, was found above legal levels in two
retail apple samples.
Nearly a third of grapes had multiple pesticide residues, with levels
of methomyl, an acutely toxic, suspected hormone disrupter, above
legal limits. Test results for grapes released last week also found
two pesticides at levels which could cause possible health effects
such as nausea, headaches, abdominal cramps and diarrhoea [3].
Raspberry samples were found to contain up to six different
pesticides, including bifenthrin, a suspected hormone disrupter.
The results did however reveal that fruit-based baby food was
completely free of residues, as now required by law. But fresh fruit
is not protected by the same legislation, leaving parents who make
their own baby food from fresh fruit, and young children eating fresh
fruit at risk.
Levels of one pesticide in lettuce (inorganic bromide) were found to
be above the safety level for infants and toddlers, posing a
"potential health concern". And levels of carbendazim in sweet potato
were three times the safety level [4].
Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to do more to
support UK farmers and growers in finding alternatives to risky
chemical pesticides and to eliminate pesticide residues in food as
quickly as possible.
Friends of the Earth Pesticides Campaigner Liz Wright said:
"At a time when the Government is trying to get everyone to eat more
fruit and vegetables, it should be doing more to ensure that healthy
food does not contain hidden extras. Babies and young children need
extra protection from pesticide residues. If baby food can be residue
free, there is no reason why all fruit and vegetables can't be,
particularly those which are popular with children."
Other findings from today's results include:
Lettuce - lettuces were again found to contain a variety of multiple
residues, with up to six pesticides present on a single lettuce. One
sample contained enough inorganic bromide to cause potential health
concerns, with safety levels exceeded by up to four times. Maximum
Residue Limits (MRLs) were also exceeded for azoxystrobin in a UK
lettuce and endosulfan, a suspected human hormone disrupter, in a
Spanish lettuce.
Cherries - half of samples contained multiple residues, with a quarter
exceeding legal levels. Carbendazim (in Canadian cherries) and
fenvalerate (in Iranian cherries) were found above the MRL - both are
suspected endocrine disrupters, and carbendazim has been found to
effect sperm production in rats [5].
Pumpkin - four UK samples contained residues of dieldrin - a
persistent, carcinogenic chemical not approved in the UK since 1981.
It is thought likely that it arose indirectly from former usage before
the chemical was banned.
Fruit bread - a third of samples contained multiple residues - up to
five different pesticides per sample. Residues found included
carbendazim, chlorpyrifos (an organophosphate with restricted uses in
the USA) and iprodione (a suspected endocrine disrupter and
carcinogen).
Notes
[1] See
www.pesticides.gov.uk published on Thursday 10th June.
[2] The Maximum Residue Level is the maximum concentration of a
pesticide residue legally permitted in food; the MRL is not a safety
level but is meant to indicate that good agricultural practice is
being followed.
[3] Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC) 2004 survey of pesticide
residues in grapes - Rapid reporting for the period 23 March 2004.
[4] The Acute Reference Dose is a safety level for short term intake.
The Pesticides Safety Directorate says that levels of a chemical
substance below the ARfD should indicate there is not an "appreciable
health risk to the consumer".
[5] Mantovani A, Maranghi F, Ricciardi C, Macri C, Stazi AV, Attias L
& Zapponi GA (1998) Developmental toxicity of carbendazim: comparison
of no-observed-adverse-effect level and benchmark dose approach. Food
and Chemical Toxicology 36:37-45.
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