Dr. Vandana Shiva prefaces this expose on the myths of
“safe” pesticides, which goes through roughly a century of pesticide use from
killing humans in concentration camps to killing pests damaging food, by
mentioning that pesticides are a byproduct of war, and notes a cancer epidemic
in Punjab, India. Health issues such as diabetes and neurological issues such
as autism have been on the rise, with Shiva insisting that agriculture free of
genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) and pesticides (which she indicates can
create more resistant pests) can create more income for farmers.
In his own introduction, Leu indicates the toxicity of rain in certain areas of Europe, noting that agricultural chemicals have threatened biodiversity and created health problems in humans. He follows with five chapters dedicated to five major myths of “safe” pesticides, the first of which debunks their supposed testing for safety, mentioning xenoestrogens that can increase the risk of breast cancer. Other alleged myths include that stating minimal exposure to chemicals is harmless, that chemicals break down, that regulatory authorities are reliable, and that pesticides are essential to agriculture.
Leu concludes by stating that unborn and growing children are the most vulnerable to pesticide use, that change in testing methodology on chemical toxicology is necessary, and that health must come first. Overall, this expose somewhat hit home for this reviewer, who is on the autism spectrum despite having no family history of the condition, had a grandfather who died partially due to Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War, not to mention a stepniece with celiac disease (all referenced in the book) with the author definitely showing his work and mercifully staying away from politics.
In his own introduction, Leu indicates the toxicity of rain in certain areas of Europe, noting that agricultural chemicals have threatened biodiversity and created health problems in humans. He follows with five chapters dedicated to five major myths of “safe” pesticides, the first of which debunks their supposed testing for safety, mentioning xenoestrogens that can increase the risk of breast cancer. Other alleged myths include that stating minimal exposure to chemicals is harmless, that chemicals break down, that regulatory authorities are reliable, and that pesticides are essential to agriculture.
Leu concludes by stating that unborn and growing children are the most vulnerable to pesticide use, that change in testing methodology on chemical toxicology is necessary, and that health must come first. Overall, this expose somewhat hit home for this reviewer, who is on the autism spectrum despite having no family history of the condition, had a grandfather who died partially due to Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War, not to mention a stepniece with celiac disease (all referenced in the book) with the author definitely showing his work and mercifully staying away from politics.
Book Title: The Myths of Safe Pesticides by André Leu
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 168 pages
Genre: Educational / Nature / Science
Publisher: Acres USA
Release date: September 15, 2014
Tour dates: March 12 to April 13, 2018
Content Rating: G
Book Description:
The chemical-based conventional agriculture industry claims that the synthesized concoctions they sell as pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides are safe when used as directed, but does the scientific evidence truly support their assertions? Organic agriculturist and lecturer André Leu delves into a wealth of respected scientific journals to present the peer-reviewed evidence that proves the claims of chemical companies and pesticide regulators are not all they seem.
Leu translates technical jargon into layman's terms to break down the five most repeated myths about pesticide use: independent scientific analysis shows that pesticides are not at all as safe as industry leaders and regulatory agencies claim. The pesticide industry argues that human agriculture, and thereby the global population itself, cannot survive without using pesticides and herbicides, but Leu warns that human health is at great risk unless we break free of their toxic hold and turn to more natural methods of pest and weed regulation.
Learn about:
The “Rigorously Tested” Myth
The “Very Small Amount” Myth
The “Breakdown” Myth
The “Reliable Regulatory Authority” Myth
The “Pesticides Are Essential to Farming” Myth
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Ends April 21, 2018
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