pesticides

Despite being banned since the 1970s, DDT and PCBs are still affecting wildlife today, particularly the California condor, a critically endangered species. The condors feed on dead marine life along the California coast that often contain higher amounts of contaminants compared to marine life elsewhere. Scientists at San Diego State University (SDSU) and San Diego […]

People of color and low-income communities in the U.S. are at greater risk for exposure to pesticides, a new study has found.  While this is the case for many environmental pollutants, the study published in BMC Public Health Tuesday was the first to take an in-depth look at the differences in pesticide protections and regulations […]

Human-raised honeybees are in trouble, and the biggest threat they face is the varroa mite. This is an eight-legged parasite that is smaller than a pinhead, Science explained. It harms bees by feeding on their fat and weakening their immune systems, and also by spreading viruses the bees are then less able to defend themselves against. 

What fruits and vegetables should you avoid if you don’t want an extra serving of pesticides with your salad?  The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released its annual Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, which includes its Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists of the non-organic produce with the most and least pesticides.  “Everyone should […]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created a new “working definition” of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS. The updated definition is narrower, leaving out many chemicals in pharmaceuticals, pesticides and even some refrigerants.  Scientists are concerned that the agency’s redefining of PFAS makes these chemicals seem less toxic, and critics have […]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to approve a proposal to extend the use of four neonicotinoids for the next 15 years. These pesticides are known to be especially dangerous for essential pollinators, like bees and butterflies, and have been linked to the widespread decline of insect populations. Despite citing the pesticides imidacloprid, […]

While rice is an important staple in global diets, rice cultivation and production are not so eco-friendly. Most rice agriculture relies on pesticides and chemical fertilizers for higher yields and less issues with insects and weeds. Now, researchers have found a way to minimize pesticide use for rice fields, instead using aquatic animals to help […]

A new study has found detectable levels of toxic weedkillers in about 40% of respondents in a U.S. nationwide survey. The survey found levels of 2,4-D, an herbicide that has been linked to cancer, in one in three people. Researchers at George Washington University analyzed the 2001 to 2014 results from the annual National Health […]