Do Pesticide Residues in Food Pose a Significant Risk to Consumer Health - Essay Example

? Do Pesticide Residues in Food Pose a Significant Risk to Consumer Health? Do Pesticide Residues in Food Pose a Significant Risk to Consumer Health?Abstract Pesticide has been in use for household and agricultural production in order to reduce and control the proliferation of pests. It is unknown to many people that even the common household products used to exterminate rats and insects are classified as pesticides. Pesticides though are commonly known to be used in the farm to protect crops from infestation, diseases, rats, insects and weeds. Studies revealed that residues of pesticides remain in the crops for some time that eventually enter the cycle of the food chain. If these chemicals can kill and destroy the pests, they can also pose a potential danger to human beings. A safe level is then studied by researchers to establish the tolerable amount of pesticide residues that can ingested and does not endanger human beings. Incidents from around the globe reveal that human beings suffer from pesticide poisoning or overdose that has adversely affected life and health. This occurred despite stringent regulation by government regulatory agencies. Can pesticide be continuously used so that crops can be grown in abundance and free of disease but still not endanger the life of human beings? Without pesticide, farmers and growers will suffer great losses when pests and diseases attack their farms. But on the consumer end, death and illness can result. A balance has to be made so that both the production and consumer sides can benefit. Pesticides that can be used in plants must be approved by regulating agencies (Food Standards Agency 2004). Introduction Pesticide is a general term that refers to a wide array of products used to decimate pests in the house, agricultural farm, etc. such as insect killers (called insecticides), mould and fungi killers (or fungicides), weedkillers (herbicides), slug pellets (molluscicides), rat and mouse killers (rodenticides), plant growth regulators, and bird and animal repellents (Health and Safety Executive 2009). United States Environmental Protection Agency (2010) included disinfectants and sanitizers (for kitchen or laundry), chemicals used for swimming pools, personal insect repellents, baits and sprays for cockroaches, and powders and sprays for fleas and ticks. There are natural pesticides such as pyrethrums (taken from chrysanthemum plant) and others are modified forms of natural chemicals (Health and Safety Executive 2009). For several decades, pesticides are being used by food growers in order to make the produce look good and abundant (Health and Safety Executive 2009). The chemicals used in regulating the growth of plants (e.g. one that slows down sprouting in potatoes) are likewise classified as pesticides and are regulated (Food Standards Agency 2004). Without using pesticides, the crops can lose their quality (Food Standards Agency 2004) making them not saleable in the market. Pesticide is used primarily for the benefits it can offer. In the farm, it protects the crops from pesky insects, weeds and fungi that cause diseases in plants (Health and Safety Executive 2009). Farm crops grow healthy and protected from diseases by pesticides (Food Standards Agency 2004). It also prevents rats, fungi and insects from contaminating the food while under storage (Health and Safety Executive 2009). In most instances, there are trace amounts of the chemicals used that remain inside or around the produce after harvest or while being stored (Food Standards Agency n.d.). These chemicals are called pesticide residues, and also include traces that result from the breakdown of pesticides (Food Standards Agency n.d.). It is sometimes necessary that a pesticide must stay longer on the crop to effectively protect it (Food Standards Agency n.d.). Exhaustive studies are conducted by regulatory agencies in collaboration with scientific institutions to confirm the report submitted by a company about the pesticide intended to be sold to the public. Upon the grant of approval, the pesticide must only be used for a specific crop or crops which the government has allowed it to be used. Using pesticides on other agricultural products may result to harmful effects to humans. Despite the benefits man can derive from pesticides, they can cause harm to man, the animals and the environment (Health and Safety Executive 2009). In order to minimise the harmful effects of these chemicals, they are regulated by the government and their use and sale are strictly controlled (Health and Safety Executive 2009). About one-third of the pesticides in the market are used by farmers in growing crops (Health and Safety Executive 2009). Effects of Pesticides on Health Intensive studies on the possible side effects of all pesticides are being done before the European Union grants its approval (Food Standards Agency 2004). An international set of guidelines is used in the conduct of the research (Food Standards Agency 2004). It has already been established that residues of pesticide remain in the agricultural produce for some time and thus, they can be ingested by human beings. The researchers then have to agree on the specific amount that may be tolerable to humans, which is anchored on the “no observed adverse effect level” or NOAEL in the animals (Food Standards Agency 2004). The safety assessment study is done for a long duration, with both the long and short periods of exposure to the chemicals being considered (Food Standards Agency 2004). According to the Directorate-General for Health & Consumers, pesticide residues that remain in the food should be safe for the consuming public and must be at the lowest level as possible (European Commission 2008). The maximum residue levels or MRLs are not considered as safety limits, they are based on the best practice in agriculture and fall below the level that would pose a risk to health (Food Standards Agency 2004). This criterion is also applied on imported food (Food Standards Agency 2004). The maximum residue level, established by the European Commission, is the peak level of residue that the law allows on food and feeds for animals (European Commission 2008). The new regulation takes into consideration a variety of parameters that include consumer groups (e.g. babies, children, vegetarian), the diet regimen of Europeans, the expected levels of residues for different food types, etc. (European Commission 2008). The safety assessment for this regulation was conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (European Commission 2008). A lurking health concern among some people is the “cocktail effect” wherein some or numerous types of pesticides are being ingested by a person over a long period of time (Food Standards Agency 2004). A single type of food may even contain different kinds of pesticides (Food Standards Agency 2004). Since pesticides are a component of the production process, it is inevitable that people will have to eat pesticide residues all throughout their lives. The Food Standards Agency therefore said that not eating fruits and vegetables would be more of a health risk to people than eating food with low pesticide residue levels (2004). Eating a variety of at least five types of fruits daily is a better option to avoid some diseases and cancers than avoiding food with low pesticide residues (Food Standards Agency 2004). Although experts say that there is no need to wash or peel fruit or vegetables, washing and peeling the fruit or removal of outer leaves can remove some pesticide residues (Food Standards Agency 2004). However, some residues (in small quantities) are embedded inside the food that peeling or washing cannot eliminate (Food Standards Agency 2004). Another mode by which residues can be reduced is through cooking or processing (Food Standards Agency 2004). Through processing, pesticide residues are broken down or the portions that contain them are removed (Food Standards Agency 2004). In the US, as reported by Green et. al (1987), 264 persons were reported to the Health Division, Oregon to have suffered from illness after eating watermelon. They had suffered different degrees according to defined laboratory parameters (Green et. al. 1987). Of the 31 watermelons tested for organophosphates, carbamates and their breakdown products, 16 were the remnants of the consumed watermelons (case-associated) (Green et. al. 1987). Ten watermelons came out positive for aldicarb while the six specimens showed pesticide residues (Green et. al. 1987). For the 12 watermelons considered as non-cases (i.e. the persons involved did not fall under the suspect case definition), one sample came out with a positive aldicarb (Green et. al. 1987). The two persons who had eaten from this specimen reported leg cramps, headache and other symptoms (Green et. al. 1987). This situation is just a small fraction of the total quantity of persons who had suffered such symptoms after ingesting pesticide residues (Green et. al. 1987). Aldicarb, otherwise called 2-methyl-2 (methylthio) propionaldehyde O-(methylcarbamoyl) oxime, registered under the brand name Temik, is intended for use in cotton and other agricultural food crops but not for watermelons (Green et. al. 1987). Government Regulation of Pesticides A pesticide cannot just be released to the public for whatever purpose. Thus, the company that wants to sell its pesticides to the public must seek the approval of the government and must submit an application that details the possible risk the product will have upon health and environment, as well as its potential to cause cancer or reproductive system damage (Food Standards Agency 2004). In the US, there are three federal agencies responsible for regulating pesticides: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) (Fraser n.d.). Continuous monitoring conducted by FDA revealed that pesticide residues found on newly harvested fruits and vegetables are very minimal that they do not pose health hazard to any demographic population, with the children and babies included in the assessment (Fraser n.d.). The United States excludes as pesticides the following: disease control drugs for both humans and animals (regulated by the Food and Drug Administration), fertilizers and nutrients for plants to boost survival and health, certain biological control agents (e.g. beneficial predators and birds that eat insect pests) which are excluded by the EPA (except those intended for a number of microorganisms), and low-risks ingredients (e.g. garlic, mint oil, exempted from Federal compliance but some state laws may still require it) (United States Environmental Protection Agency 2010). The European Union does not allow use of pesticides in its jurisdiction unless scientific studies prove that the plant protection products have “no harmful effects on consumers, farmers or bystanders,” they do not instigate unpleasant outcomes upon the environment, and its effectiveness has been shown (European Commission 2008, p. 1). The European Commission issued a new Regulation that took effect on September 1, 2008 (Food Standards Agency 2004). This policy sets a uniform rule for all pesticides (earlier, MRLs of some pesticides were fixed by the Commission and others by the Member States) (Food Standards Agency 2004). A safe level for long-term and short-term exposures of humans are fixed so that health cannot be imperiled. The Acceptable Daily Intake or ADI is the measurement applied for long-term exposures (Food Standards Agency 2004). The ADI provides the quantity of the residues individuals (including older adults, the sick, pregnant women) can ingest daily without their health being at risk (Food Standards Agency 2004). On the other hand, the Acute Reference Dose or ARfD is the measurement reference that is used for short-term exposures (Food Standards Agency 2004). The Acute Reference Dose fixes the quantity of residues that a person can take per meal or on a daily basis without a person’s health being subjected to risk (Food Standards Agency 2004). Stringent evaluation criteria are being used in the safety assessment to ensure that whatever residue is left in the crop would pose no harm to human beings (Food Standards Agency 2004). The company applying for approval of a pesticide must also list down the impurities present, its effectiveness in weeding out or exterminating pests, and its safeness to the person applying the chemical, the animal around and the environment (Food Standards Agency 2004). Constant review is done by the regulatory agencies and if the evaluation turned out negative, the approval may be withdrawn or revised (Food Standards Agency 2004). In the United Kingdom, the government has specific agencies that assess the pesticides together with an autonomous scientific committee (Food Standards Agency 2004). The Food Standards Agency is granted an oversight functions over issues that involve food safety (Food Standards Agency 2004). The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union issued on February 23, 2005 Regulation No. 396/0225 to regulate the MRL on both food and animal feeds that would be binding upon all the Member States of the union (Regulation No 396/2005 2005). The EC Regulation, which took effect beginning September 1, 2008, harmonises MRLs of all pesticides within the Community (Food Standards Agency 2004). MRL applications on new pesticides will be reviewed by the European Food Safety Authority (Food Standards Agency 2004). Those pesticides which have no MRLs (except those where no MRL is required), the limit is defaulted at 0.01 mg/kg (Food Standards Agency 2004). Such default limit, applied for pesticides lacking enough information on residues, is a very low level (Food Standards Agency 2004). The regulation takes into consideration the free movement of goods and the common agricultural practices in setting up the maximum residue levels of pesticides (Regulation No 396/2005 2005). While the EC Regulation has fixed the MRLs for pest control products, the member states may not adopt it into their national law (Regulation No 396/2005 2005). The regulation then is the best instrument that fixes the MRLs which can be “applied at the same time and in the same manner throughout the Community and accordingly permit a more efficient use of national resources” (Regulation No 396/2005 2005, p. L 70/2). The Community recognizes the importance of preserving food from harmful pests and insects that could reduce harvest or totally damage the plants (Regulation No 396/2005 2005). Pesticides are therefore included in the approach to keep the plants safe and healthy (Regulation No 396/2005 2005). The approach also includes the practices that do not require chemical application (e.g. crop rotation, biological control, mechanical weeding) (Regulation No 396/2005 2005). The regulation explicitly gives priority to the health of human beings over crop protection (Regulation No 396/2005 2005). The EC Regulation also enumerated the directives and rules already issued that particularly addresses food and feeds protection (Regulation No 396/2005 2005). The Member States are also enjoined by the Regulation for them to establish “multiannual national control programmes for pesticide residues” (Regulation No 396/2005 2005, p. L 70/13). Such programme must be updated yearly (Regulation No 396/2005 2005). Conclusion Pesticides have been in use for several decades now, both at home and in the farm. But more regulation is given on the food production level because pesticides are sprayed upon crops that eventually end up into the human body. Although regulation has been enhanced by the government, there are instances when unexpected over-ingestion of pesticide residues occurs. This has happened around the globe. The safe level of pesticide residues a human being can take has already been established through long studies. Researches on pesticides that show “no observed adverse effect level” on the animals studied are given the approval for use. This refers to the maximum level of residues that will not have an effect upon the human body. Despite such intensive studies and regulation implemented based on such studies, there are still reports of people suffering from the adverse effect of pesticide residues. The European Commission has issued Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 to specifically address the issues and concerns affecting food production and pesticides (Regulation No 396/2005 2005). This has clarified the issue on whether food protection through the use of pesticide would be given priority over pesticide residue ingestion by humans. The European Commission has made a point that human health is of prime importance. And if the pesticide residue shown by the evaluation exceeds the allowable limits, then the approval of the pesticide will not be given or withdrawn if already granted. Pesticide residues really pose a danger to human beings. Thus, specific types of pesticides that have residues exceeding the allowable limits should not be allowed to go into the public. Application of a pesticide should only be made on the particular crop where it has been approved for use. Regular assessment of the pesticides is also being conducted since the residue levels of a product might exceed the MRL after sometime. The only way that pesticide can be continually used on food production is when its residue or resulting components after breakdown are at the minimum level so that human will not exposed to unnecessary harm. References European Commission. 2008. New rules on pesticide residues in food. Directorate-General for Health & Consumers. . [Accessed 6 February 2011]. Food Standards Agency. n.d. What are pesticide residues? . [Accessed 6 February 2011]. Food Standards Agency. 2004 March 13. Your questions on pesticides. . [Accessed 6 February 2011]. Health and Safety Executive. 2009. What are Pesticides? . [Accessed 6 February 2011]. Green MA, et. al. 1987 November. An Outbreak of Watermelon-Borne Pesticide Toxicity. American Journal of Public Health, vol. 77, no. 11, pp. 1434-1434. . [Accessed 5 February 2011]. Fraser, A. n.d. Pesticide Residues on Fresh Fruits and vegetables: What's the Risk. North Carolina State University. . [Accessed 5 February 2011]. Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council. 2005 February 23. Official Journal of the European Union. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2010 December 8. What is a Pesticide? . [Accessed 5 February 2011]. Read More