Persistent Organic Pollutants:
One study recently in the news looked at persistent organic pollutant (POP) levels in the U.S. food supply.This study, conducted by cientists at the University of Texas School of Public Health,showed that there are chemicals like Perfluourinated Compounds (PFCs), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)and pesticides like DDT found in many types of food, even though their use has been banned. All of these chemicals have been shown to have toxic effects, including decreased fertility, cancer, and hindered neurologic development.
The study found total daily consumption of DDTs was 263 ng/day, mainly from dairy products. The daily consumption of other chemicals was lower, with PCBs at 33 ng/day. While none of these individual levels exceed EPA limits, as the researches point out, we dont yet know the effects of being exposed to many organic pollutants simultaneously.
Read more:
Article on PCBs & Other Chemicals in Food
Article on PCBs in Food & Feed Organophosphates
Organophosphates are one of the many types of chemicals we are exposed to in our daily lives. These insecticides, chemically similar to “nerve gas” used in WWII, kill insects by attacking their nervous systems. Organophosphates are used on farms as well as for home use to kill or repel mosquitoes, ants, cockroaches and other household and garden pests. These chemicals have been known to cause serious health problems affecting normal brain, reproductive, and other body developments including cancer.
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