Bushkill Farms & Apiary

Pesticide Contamination Ubiquitous In Pregnant Women

rob — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 02:51:10 +0000

A study from the University of Granada in Spain that analyzed the presence of organochlorine pesticides in pregnant women found that all the participants showed placental traces of at least one pesticide. More alarmingly, on average, the women were contaminated with eight different pesticides.

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In-Home Pesticide Exposure Increases Parkinson’s Risk

rob — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:43:31 +0000

Pesticide use and exposure in the home and garden increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a study of almost 500 people newly diagnosed with the disease.

“This study is the largest yet of newly diagnosed individuals with Parkinson’s disease and it is the first study to show a significant association between home pesticide use and the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease,” said study lead author Lorene Nelson, PhD, a neuroepidemiologist at Stanford University School of Medicine.

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EPA lowers boom on widely used pesticide

rob — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:41:04 +0000

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday announced a crackdown on chlorpyrifos, a widely used insecticide sold under the name Dursban, which agency scientists say poses unacceptable risks to children.

An agreement reached this week with manufacturers will end most home and building uses, and also place new restrictions on farm spraying of apples, grapes and tomato crops.

Chlorpyrifos is present in more than 800 different products.

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Reducing pesticide use in yard helps restore biodiversity

rob — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:46:23 +0000

Q: I became fed up with using artificial fertilizers and pesticides in my yard. Over the past few years, I have phased them out and have built more features that attract songbirds, butterflies and even frogs. I love the results. What else can I do to create habitat in my yard?

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