Toxic Trade-Offs: How Banned Pesticides Still Enter the US Food Supply

Regardless of rising scientific consensus across the risks of sure pesticides, many of those chemical compounds proceed to be produced, used, and consumed world wide—even in international locations the place they’ve formally been banned. This international dissonance is especially stark when evaluating pesticide laws within the European Union (EU) and the US.

Relying closely on the precautionary precept, the EU takes a markedly extra cautious method than the US does to pesticide regulation. This precept prioritizes preventive motion within the face of uncertainty, inserting the burden of proof on producers to reveal {that a} substance is secure earlier than approving its use. If credible scientific proof suggests {that a} pesticide may pose a critical menace to human well being or the surroundings, the EU is extra more likely to ban or limit it, even when all of the dangers should not but absolutely established.

Consequently, dozens of pesticides—together with well-known chemical compounds like paraquat, phorate, and atrazine—are banned throughout EU member states. These substances have been linked to well being points, akin to Parkinson’s illness, hormone disruption, and most cancers, in addition to to important environmental harm.

In distinction, the US takes a risk-based method, which permits pesticide use so long as the advantages are deemed to outweigh the potential dangers. Regulatory selections typically depend on manufacturer-provided information and may be sluggish to alter, even within the face of mounting proof. Consequently, many pesticides banned within the EU stay authorized and extensively utilized in US agriculture. Paraquat, as an illustration, is banned in over fifty international locations however remains to be utilized in giant portions throughout US farmland, contributing to growing instances of Parkinson’s illness.^[1]

Sarcastically, whereas the US does ban sure pesticides as a consequence of security considerations, American corporations proceed to fabricate and export these banned chemical compounds to different international locations—notably within the World South. At present, greater than 80 % of nations importing neurotoxic pesticides banned for US home use are categorized as low to center revenue and have few authorized safeguards limiting their importation.^[2] These pesticides are sometimes used with fewer laws and decrease security requirements, placing farmworkers and surrounding communities at heightened danger.

This worldwide demand retains manufacturing ranges excessive. Moderately than phasing out dangerous substances, producers ramp up manufacturing to fill the worldwide market. In lots of instances, pesticides banned within the US or EU are nonetheless in widespread use world wide.

As a result of international nature of the meals provide, banned pesticides proceed to make their approach again into the US by imported meals. Fruits, greens, grains, and different merchandise grown with substances now not permitted domestically can nonetheless be offered on American grocery store cabinets. Whereas import inspections exist, they cowl solely a small fraction of shipments, and pesticide residue limits range extensively between international locations.

This loophole signifies that American customers could unknowingly be uncovered to harmful chemical compounds that US regulators have deemed unsafe.^[3]

The disconnect between home bans and worldwide use highlights a urgent want for extra constant, globally coordinated pesticide laws. It additionally raises moral questions on wealthier nations’ position in perpetuating environmental and well being hazards overseas. Strengthening worldwide agreements, bettering residue testing at borders, and incentivizing safer alternate options are key steps towards defending each international well being and the integrity of the meals system.

Till then, the poisonous commerce in banned pesticides stays a putting instance of how our well being may be affected in hidden, noxious methods—typically inserting an unfair burden on customers to guard themselves.

References

1. Tanner CM, Kamel F, Ross GW, et al. Rotenone, paraquat, and Parkinson’s illness. Environ Well being Perspect. 2011;119(6):866-872. doi:10.1289/ehp.1002839
2. Heart for Worldwide Environmental Legislation (CIEL). EPA petitioned to halt export of U.S.-banned pesticides to growing international locations except authorised by their governments. March 8, 2023. https://www.ciel.org/information/epa-petitioned-to-halt-export-of-us-banned-pesticides-to-developing-countries/
3. Roberts C. Produce with out pesticides. Shopper Studies. April 18, 2024. https://www.consumerreports.org/well being/food-contaminants/produce-without-pesticides-a5260230325/