Chemical Controversies
Pesticides are substances that prevent, destroy, repel, or reduce the severity of pests. Pests are living things that occur where they are not wanted or that cause damage to humans, crops, or animals. Pests can be insects, rodents, unwanted plants, bacteria, viruses, or different types of fungus. Pesticides can vary in how toxic they are to humans and the environment. Some are persistent in the environment, animals, and birds, lasting for years; others break down soon after they are released. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants licenses, or registrations, to pesticides that it has found do not pose unreasonable risks to human health and the environment; it has registered at least 865 pesticides, which are used in thousands of pesticide products.
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Herbicide resistance management strategies may not be enough to slow weeds’ evolution, UK study suggests
Editor's note: In the study, the authors note that this research contrasts current industry advice and scientific literature on herbicide resistance management ...
USDA report: Pesticide data shows US food supply ‘one of the safest in the world’
More than 20% of food sampled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2016 show no detectable pesticides and less ...
4 common myths about the supposed advantages of organic foods over GMOs
Myth 1: Organic Food Is Safer Because It Doesn’t Touch Pesticides “The levels we are exposed to are far, far ...
Chemical could boost crop yields by triggering gene to add branches and fruits
When it comes to agriculture from branched plants, such as apple trees, the more branches that bear fruit, the better ...
Is there a difference in the toxic effects of glyphosate versus herbicides like Roundup that include surfactants?
Glyphosate is rarely used on its own in the field. Herbicide formulations as a whole include a variety of other ...
Do trace levels of neonicotinoid insecticides found in waterways threaten aquatic life?
A recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey detected neonicotinoid pesticides in 10 Great Lakes tributaries throughout the year, although the levels ...
Viewpoint: How WHO’s IARC set off a global panic that threatens science and agriculture around the world
It’s not just in Europe that glyphosate divides governments: the very same molecule is responsible for a string lawsuits and ...
IARC defends methodology, ‘probably carcinogenic’ glyphosate designation against criticisms
The World Health Organization's cancer agency is firmly defending its finding that a widely used herbicide is "probably carcinogenic" despite ...
German coalition pledges GMO ban, phase out of glyphosate, expansion of organic farming
Germany’s draft coalition deal includes a goal of ending use of the weed-killer glyphosate within the country but gives no ...
Partisan divide erupts on glyphosate-cancer science as IARC supporters push ‘Monsanto Papers’ narrative
“There appear to be serious problems with the science underlying [the International Agency for Research on Cancer]’s [2015] assessment of ...
Advances in crop microbiome research could revolutionize agriculture
Editor's note: Davide Bulgarelli is a principal investigator at the University of Dundee in the UK. His research aims at understanding the ...
House science committee to consider cutting US funding for IARC cancer agency
The House Science, Space and Technology Committee [Tuesday, Feb. 6] is likely to consider whether Congress should cut off millions ...
Farmers in four states sue Monsanto, BASF and Dupont over dicamba herbicide damage
Farmers in the heartland have filed at least 11 lawsuits in federal court over the last two years against the ...
Germany agrees to ban GMO crops, phase out glyphosate herbicide ‘as soon as possible’
After a week of talks, German coalition negotiators agreed on the cornerstones of their new programme. But when a new government ...
Neonicotinoid insecticide may increase honeybee survival when manure bacteria is present, lab study finds
Recent studies of honeybees and bumblebees have examined combinatory effects of different stressors, as insect pollinators are naturally exposed to ...
Viewpoint: California’s looming coffee cancer warning shows how judges and lawyers can subvert science
A judge in California is going to determine whether or not coffee causes cancer. Think about that. We live in ...
Trace amounts of neonicotinoid insecticides found in 70 percent of Great Lakes stream samples
Pesticides thought to harm some kinds of bees are turning up in Great Lakes tributaries at unexpected times of the year ...
GMO insect-resistant Bt tomatoes could control leaf miner pest, reduce insecticide use
Editor's note: Anne Frary is a professor in the department of molecular biology and genetics at the Izmir Institute of ...
Coffee causes cancer? That may be California’s next required food warning label
California coffee shops may soon be forced to warn customers about a possible cancer risk linked to their morning jolt ...
Facts not fear: Science Moms’ documentary debunks common food myths about GMOs, organic farming
Editor's note: Sally Kuzemchak, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian, educator, and mom of two In the new documentary, Science Moms, they ...
Will Australian stores’ removal of household neonicotinoid products help bees?
Katja Hogendoorn is a native bee expert and Research Associate within the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine at the ...
Stonyfield-Gary Hirshberg fiasco grows over video with young girls spreading misinformation about farming and GMOs
Usually, a video with kids talking is cute, funny, perhaps poignant. However, scientists’ and farmers’ reactions to a promotional video ...
French President Macron: Farmers will face glyphosate ban only if there is ‘credible alternative’
France will exempt farmers from a ban on using the weed-killer glyphosate in three years time where there is no ...
Beepocalypse myth busting: Honey bees, not wild species, key for crop pollination—and they’re doing fine
Like GMOs and vaccines, misinformation is rife on the topic of bees. Fearmongers warn of a coming "Beepocalypse." The media ...
Cancer researcher: Media hysteria over glyphosate herbicide undermines science
Editor's note: Guy André Pelouze is a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon who did cancer research during his training and lung cancer treatment ...
DowDuPont, BASF to challenge Monsanto’s dominance of herbicide-tolerant GMO soybean market
Monsanto Co is facing major threats to its historic dominance of seed and herbicide technology for the $40 billion U.S ...
Is glyphosate unsafe? European Food Safety Authority rejects accusations of ‘undue industry influence’ in rejecting carcinogenic designation
Editor's note: Bernhard Url is the Executive Director of the European Food Safety Authority The job of the European Food Safety Authority ...
