BEYOND PESTICIDES

Take Action—Stop SB 1416 in Missouri giving chemical manufacturers immunity from the harm their products cause! Pesticide and chemical manufacturers have descended on state legislators in Missouri with legislation to shield them from liability lawsuits filed by people injured from exposure to their products. The chemical industry is asking for immunity from lawsuits on adverse effects that are not fully disclosed and legislation has already moved through the Missouri House of Representatives. So far, the industry has successfully introduced its bill in at least four states. This activity is spurred on by the thousands of successful cases involving the weed killer Roundup/glyphosate that have resulted in large jury awards against Bayer/Monsanto in the billions of dollars. While sponsors of these bills claim that the labels on pesticide products provide sufficient warning of hazards, users have been misled by advertising that falsely touts product safety. In fact, pesticides are registered by EPA under standards of what the agency calculates as “acceptable” harm, despite the availability of less or nontoxic alternatives. Reminiscent of prior battles, the chemical industry is relying on elected officials, in state legislatures and the U.S. Congress, to block or preempt court action. >> Tell your MO state legislators to protect the right of citizens to seek redress against pesticide manufacturers from harm caused by their products: https://ow.ly/Vjga50RpqMz

Daily News: Meta-Analysis Catalogues Pesticides’ Adverse Impact on How Genes Function A team from the Molecular Oncology Research Center at Barretos Cancer Hospital in Brazil (Hospital de Amor) finds epigenetic changes, including changes relating to “DNA methylation, histone modification, and differential microRNA expression [which ‘can alter the expression of many disease-related genes’],” in a review and meta-analysis of existing literature in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Out of 3,529 articles initially found, 28 articles were selected for eligibility. Studies were not included if the participants were not considered “healthy individuals” or if the participants had “known inherent/congenital or acquired genetic disorder[s].” One study involved tracking micro-RNA (miRNA) profiles from the urine of farmworkers exposed to organophosphate pesticides. “A cohort of mother-child farmworker pairs exposed to organophosphate pesticides and non-farmworker pairs was studied by measuring urinary microRNA profiles []. Significant differences in miRNA profiles were found between adult farmworkers and non-farmworkers and also between seasons. During the post-harvest season, six miRNAs were identified as being positively associated with farmworkers.” BEYOND PESTICIDES has discussed extensively the impact of pesticide exposure on human health, particularly in its relationship with epigenetics and environmental obesogens. Environmental obesogens are chemicals proven to have a health impact on metabolic systems relating to obesity. For a broader history of independent and peer-reviewed scientific literature in this field of study, please see the Daily News Blog section on epigenetics: https://ow.ly/VWce50RsH96 Daily News Blog Post: https://ow.ly/o8vl50RsH9Y

Daily News: Group Calls for Banning of Toxic Wood Preservatives to Prevent Further Contamination and Poisoning. The contamination and poisoning left behind from wood treatment sites, resulting in hundreds of designated Superfund clean-up sites across the country, is the subject of an action by Beyond Pesticides after the release of yet another report criticizing the federal government’s inadequate response to the public’s risk to “residual contamination in the groundwater and soil” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General (OIG). The report criticizes EPA’s weak response at the American Creosote Works Superfund site in Pensacola, FL, a problem that reflects the unending dangers of sites contaminated with persistent toxic chemicals associated with wood preservatives. The site was put on the Superfund priority list in 1983 and in 2017 it was estimated that the clean-up would cost $35.3 million. Just last year, EPA Administrator Michael Regan toured another Superfund Site contaminated with creosote and pledged the clean-up of that site, which affects a community of predominantly people of color. As long as dependency on toxic wood preservatives (used on utility poles and railroad ties) continues—pentachlorophenol (penta), copper chromated arsenate, and creosote—the contamination at treatment and disposal sites will continue, advocates say. Daily News Blog Post: https://ow.ly/JAXY50RqV00

Take Action—Tell EPA To Eliminate Risks from Wood Treatment Plants by Eliminating Toxic Wood Preservatives A recent report by the U.S. EPA Office of Inspector General finds that due to inadequate institutional controls at the American Creosote Works Superfund site in Pensacola, FL, “the public remains at risk of exposure to residual contamination in the groundwater and soil” and points to the unending dangers of sites contaminated with persistent toxic chemicals. >> Tell US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to cancel the registration of highly toxic wood preservatives—including creosote, chromated arsenicals, and copper compounds—and urge the U.S. Congress to ensure the prevention of future site contaminations: https://ow.ly/HS6Z50RpyJ7

Daily News: More Data Finds Long-Term Exposure to Toxic Pesticides Alters Human Gut Microbiome and Metabolism Researchers build on existing research when assessing the relationship between long-term exposure to organophosphorus pesticides—widely used in food production and homes and gardens—and the human gut microbiome. An interdisciplinary team from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) determined “that exposure to [organophosphorus pesticides] is associated with changes in the abundance of several bacterial groups and differential functional capacity in metabolic pathways supported by the human gut microbiome.” The microbiome was assessed through bacterial DNA found in fecal samples—from 190 participants in an epidemiologic study of Parkinson’s disease living in a region known for heavy agricultural pesticide use in California—while PICRUST2 software was used to identify 16S RNA markers—“metagenomic profile of the gut microbiome”—to make predictions on relationships between pesticides and their genetic impacts. The continuous growth and adoption of organic agricultural and land management practices is a hopeful sign of systems change away from the chemical treadmill and dependence on petrochemical-based toxic pesticides. Yet advocates are weary of piecemeal bans when the foundation of inaction stems from a failed regulatory system that permits their use. Please see BEYOND PESTICIDES' Daily News blog sections on microbiota and microbiome for further documentation of scientific literature and health impacts: (https://ow.ly/i9ej50Rpa6P and https://ow.ly/ggjU50Rpa6J) Daily News Blog Post: https://ow.ly/g3O950Rpa6K

Daily News: Wide Range of Harmful Effects of Pesticides Documented in Literature Review Researchers from Chitkara University in India and Philadelphia University in Jordan analyzed 150+ articles regarding pesticide use and their adverse effects on the environment and human health. Among the effects highlighted in their review is genotoxicity—the alteration of genetic material that results in the mutations in DNA that cause cancer. "Genotoxins are mutagenic chemicals, and exposure to them increases the risk of developing tumors, hormonal changes, DNA damage, and changes in the ovaries and eggs, all of which lead to cancers… the risk of DNA damage surges with increased genotoxicity in people exposed to pesticides.” As farmworkers are frequently exposed to relatively higher levels of pesticides, occupational exposure is giving rise to increased health hazards, with the authors indicating that "farmers exhibit greater immunotoxicity of pesticides during the pesticide spraying season.” This is another example of why a seismic shift towards organic standards and management practices is essential. A systemic approach focusing on soil health and advancing the transition from the use of harmful toxics cannot come too soon. For more information on priority issues in front of the National Organic Standards Board, please see BEYOND PESTICIDES' Keeping Organic Strong page. https://ow.ly/3M4y50RofBC Daily News Blog Post: https://ow.ly/yaqK50RofBB

Daily News: EPA Draft Herbicide Strategy Update Further Weakens Plan to Protect Endangered Species Last week, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted an “update” to the Draft Herbicide Strategy Framework [to Reduce Exposure of Federally Listed Endangered and Threatened Species and Designated Critical Habitats from the Use of Conventional Agricultural Herbicides] released last summer, weakening the agency’s efforts to “protect” endangered species from herbicide use. The update was written to address public comments received by the agency last fall, many of which were submitted by the petrochemical pesticide industry. It reflects the anticipated changes for the final Strategy to be released on August 30, 2024. It appears that revisions to the Strategy will not address any concerns submitted by BEYOND PESTICIDES and other advocates during the comment period. https://ow.ly/W2JC50Rniqu The agency responded with three categories of revisions and noted that it will not impose immediate requirements or restrictions on existing pesticide use and will adopt mitigation requirements for new herbicide registrations and reviews moving forward. Mitigation measures will only become effective upon EPA approval of herbicide labels. Following a recent commentary by The Wall Street Journal that EPA is “walking back” a proposal for the Vulnerable Species Project (VSP), these moves suggest that the agency is proceeding with “business as usual” by continuing to embrace a narrow approach to risk mitigation and not evaluate the “reasonableness” of risk, considering the availability of less toxic alternative substances and practices. Transitioning to practices that eliminate the need for pesticides is the only viable approach for a sustainable solution. Daily News Blog Post: https://ow.ly/UHmH50Rniqs

Daily News: EPA Inspector General Report Cites Agency Failures in Cleanup of Wood Preservatives at Superfund Site The U.S. EPA Office of Inspector General released a report last week finding that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has failed to establish “institutional controls” at the American Creosote Works Superfund Site in Pensacola, Florida, leading to continuous groundwater and soil contamination that “leav[es] the public at risk of exposure.” [The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) established the Superfund program, codified under 42 U.S.C. Chapter 103, to clean up contaminated sites with tax money from polluting industries.] The report features three main determinations: first, the institutional controls to prevent potential exposure were either “insufficient or unimplemented;” second, the agency missed the mark in communicating associated risks to the public in surrounding areas; and third, the full administrative record for this site was not available at the time of inspection. This report builds on what advocates argue is the sustained legacy of EPA inaction and failure to protect public health and enforce environmental protections, particularly on the issue of wood preservatives laced with toxic chemicals. *** Creosote-induced health problems have emerged in communities across the country, and federal inaction on toxic chemicals in wood products has been a longstanding problem. Consumers and children, who are particularly susceptible to deadly and chronic health problems compared to the general population, have the right to avoid exposure to toxic chemicals in and surrounding their homes. For more information, please see BEYOND PESTICIDES' "Poison Poles—A Report About Their Toxic Trail and Safer Alternatives," linked here: https://ow.ly/4j5Z50RmjUI Daily News Blog Post: https://ow.ly/KaRE50RmjUJ

Join us in taking the LadyBug Love pledge this Earth Day! 🐞 STARTING THIS EARTH DAY, APRIL 22, I PLEDGE TO NEVER USE CHEMICALS THAT HARM LADYBUGS OR OTHER BENEFICIAL INSECTS ON MY LAWN OR GARDEN AND TO SUPPORT 100% ORGANIC PRODUCE. 🐞 Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage® is partnering with our team for the seventh annual Ladybug Love campaign to bring awareness to the precious insects that play a crucial role in the stability of our food supply. In a press release, Natural Grocers encourages its communities to pledge to protect beneficial insects and further our critical mission of converting local parks and playing fields to organic landscape management practices. Proceeds from this campaign will benefit the Parks for a Sustainable Future program. Click on the header banner on our website to learn more! #ladybuglove #campaign #earthday #earthdayeveryday #earthmonth #organic #takethepledge #protectourplanet

Reconnecting with our roots at CorePower Yoga! 🌱 Earlier today, members of our team were honored and humbled to partner with CorePower Yoga in DC as our incredible instructor Kate guided a donation-based #corerestore session for Earth Day in support of BEYOND PESTICIDES! Max Sano, Organic Program Associate @ BP Jocelyn Cordell, Director of Operations @ BP Kathryn Ke, our instructor and guide @ CPY By joining hands with allies to lead the transition to a world free of petrochemical pesticides and fertilizers, we can protect healthy air, water, land, and food for ourselves and future generations by effecting change through local action, assisting individuals and community-based organizations to stimulate discussion on the hazards of pesticides, and providing information on safe alternatives. This Earth Week, be a part of the change! Check out the Action of the Week archive linked on our profile! 🌎 Materials, including a flyer with a QR code, are still available today in the lobby—1773 Columbia Road, NW, in DC! https://lnkd.in/eUk-57EB #beststarttotheday #organic #earthday #voicefortheplanet