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Poisoning a Population

Farmers in India are spraying their crops with staggering amounts of pesticides, a practice that depletes the soil of nutrients and leaves dangerous traces of the chemicals in fruits, vegetables and even milk.

Recent studies even found pesticide levels far exceeding safety standards in samples of Coca-Cola and Pepsi produced in India, where groundwater is likewise contaminated from overuse.

The problem began with the country’s “Green Revolution” during the 1960s, when high-yielding seeds and pesticides were widely introduced to make the country more self-sufficient growing food. But farmers grew too dependent upon the pesticides, which ultimately robbed the soil of its productivity. They responded by upping the dosage, again and again, and continue to do so in an effort to force nature to continue producing in areas where it otherwise would not.

Tests by the country’s agriculture ministry now show samples of fruit and vegetables measuring 30 to 50 percent more pesticide and heavy metal residues than allowed. Some chemicals, such as DDT, have been banned but farmers continue to use them, anyway.

Experts say the country needs widespread education for its farmers to help get pesticide use down to safer levels.

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To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org