New study sees link between pesticide and arthritis
By Grace van Deelen
Exposure to a commonly used pesticide could put people at higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, according to a new study.
agriculture
High levels of toxic PFAS found in pesticides used in farming
By Shannon Kelleher
Widely used pesticides contain concerning levels of toxic “forever chemicals” called PFAS, adding to concerns about the human health risks posed by pesticides that are used in growing food, according to a study published last week.
Pesticides plague Californians of color, new study shows
By Shannon Kelleher
Carmen Obeso was pulling weeds at a strawberry field in Ventura County, California when she smelled something strange. Not far from where she stood, she spotted a machine spraying pesticides. With watering eyes and a sickened stomach, Obeso, a Latina farmworker, reported the incident to her crew leader. After insisting on treatment, she was permitted to visit an on-site health care clinic, where she says a doctor reassured her that she had not been exposed to anything harmful.
Citing “irreversible harm,” lawmaker introduces bill to ban class of pesticides
By Carey Gillam
US Rep. Nydia Velazquez on Tuesday introduced a bill that would ban organophosphates in food production, citing harm to children, farmworkers and other vulnerable communities exposed to the group of chemicals.
Guest column: Farmers Need Safe, Effective Pesticides, Including Chlorpyrifos
Our food supply needs pesticides – it’s as simple as that. Without access to these tools, US and global agriculture could not sustainably feed the world. Furthermore, attempts to do so would likely lead to environmental catastrophe. It is true that some production methods, such as organic, may use fewer pesticides than conventional agriculture—although, even organic producers can and do use some pesticides.
Farmers testify in Congress for policies to support regenerative agricultural practices
Farmer Kara Boyd and her husband maintain 1,500 acres of land in southern Virginia for growing crops and livestock. Their farm employs regenerative agriculture practices such as no-till farming and conservative pesticide use that are meant to build healthy soil and increase food production.
US workers face scorching heat, but few protections
During a scorching June heatwave last year, a worker in Oregon collapsed after climbing down from conducting a roof inspection. Hospitalized with heat stress, he died a few days later. In Washington state, a farmworker was found slumped against a tractor after his shift, dead from a combination of factors that included heat stress, according to a medical examiner.
New evidence of pesticide links to cancer
Building on years of research that shows links between agricultural chemicals and cancer, researchers say they have found fresh evidence tying certain pesticides to cancers in children and adults in 11 western U.S. states.
Bayer wins latest Roundup cancer trial; tied 3-to-3 with plaintiffs for court wins
A Kansas City, Mo., jury on Thursday dismissed claims by a man who blamed his cancer on exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, agreeing with the company that the weed killer was not the source of the man’s disease.
“Urgent” action needed as climate change impairs agriculture, experts warn
Urgent action is needed as drought, wildfires, pests, diseases and rising sea temperatures contribute to an environment that will significantly impact global crop production, leading to higher food prices and shortages as climate change accelerates, scientists warned this week.