Martha Richmond’s “Cancer Hazards” traces the evolution of pesticides from natural and inorganic substances to synthetic chemicals

• Martha Richmond’s book traces the evolution of pesticides from natural and inorganic substances to synthetic chemicals, marking a significant shift in agriculture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• The book examines the rise of the agrochemical industry, particularly the development and widespread use of synthetic pesticides and herbicides.
• Richmond discusses the significant role of glyphosate, especially after the introduction of genetically modified (GM) seeds engineered to be resistant to it. This led to a dramatic increase in glyphosate use, making it one of the most widely used herbicides globally and raising concerns about long-term health and environmental effects.
• The book delves into the controversy sparked by the 2015 IARC classification of glyphosate as a probable carcinogen. It outlines the debate between commercial entities, which challenge the scientific basis of the findings and emphasize the benefits of these chemicals for food security and environmental and health advocacy groups, which support the IARC findings and highlight the potential risks.
• Richmond emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinction between hazard identification and risk assessment. The book also addresses the global impact of pesticide use, the need for clear regulatory frameworks and the ethical implications of environmental justice, particularly in poorly regulated environments where workers are disproportionately affected.

Martha Richmond’s book, “Cancer Hazards: Parathion, Malathion, Diazanon, Tetrachlorvinphos and Glyphosate,” offers a comprehensive and critical examination of the chemicals that have revolutionized agriculture while raising significant health and environmental concerns.

Published in 2023, this book delves into the history, impacts and controversies surrounding these widely used chemicals, providing a nuanced perspective on their role in modern farming. The use of pesticides and herbicides dates back to the dawn of agriculture, but synthetic chemicals in the late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a seismic shift. Initially, these compounds were heralded as miracle solutions to the perennial problem of crop pests and weeds.

Organophosphates like parathion, malathion, diazanon and the herbicide glyphosate, were developed to be more targeted and theoretically less harmful than their predecessors, such as the highly toxic arsenic and mercury-based products. However, the reality has proven far more complex.

Historically, early pesticides were derived from inorganic substances and natural sources. For example, pyrethrum, extracted from chrysanthemums, was a popular choice. The introduction of modern chemical methods led to the development of synthetic pesticides, which promised to be more effective and safer.

This era saw the rise of the agrochemical industry, which rapidly expanded its reach and influence. However, the first generation of synthetic pesticides, including chlorinated hydrocarbons like DDT, DDE, dieldrin and endrin, as well as herbicides like 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, soon revealed their dark side. These substances were found to bioaccumulate in the environment, posing significant health risks to humans and wildlife. Consequently, many of these chemicals were either banned or severely restricted in various countries.

Organophosphates and glyphosate were initially seen as safer alternatives due to their water-solubility and the ease with which they are metabolized and excreted. The development of genetically modified (GM) seeds in the 1980s and 1990s further propelled the use of glyphosate. Monsanto’s Roundup Ready™ seeds, engineered to be resistant to glyphosate, allowed farmers to control weeds effectively while growing crops like soybeans, corn and cotton. This innovation led to a dramatic increase in glyphosate use, making it one of the most widely used herbicides globally.

In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an agency of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen. This classification sparked a firestorm of debate. On one side, commercial entities and their allies challenged the IARC findings, questioning the scientific basis of the conclusions and arguing that the benefits of pesticide and herbicide use in ensuring food security outweigh the risks. On the other side, environmental and health advocacy groups supported the IARC findings, emphasizing the potential for long-term health and environmental impacts.

A key point of contention is the distinction between hazard identification and risk assessment. Hazard identification, as conducted by IARC, involves determining whether a substance can pose a carcinogenic risk under potential exposure conditions. Risk assessment, on the other hand, applies this information to model the actual risk to different populations, including the general public and those in occupational settings. IARC’s hazard assessments are global in scope, considering conditions where exposures are not well-regulated, which raises significant questions of environmental justice. Those exposed to toxic substances in poorly regulated environments are disproportionately affected, often due to a lack of protective measures and oversight.

The globalization of food and flower production has amplified the potential for adverse effects from pesticide and herbicide use. The regulatory landscape for agribusiness is often unclear, particularly in the production-export process, adding another layer of complexity to the issue. This lack of clarity underscores the need for robust, transparent regulatory frameworks to protect both workers and consumers.

Martha Richmond’s book, “Cancer Hazards: Parathion, Malathion, Diazanon, Tetrachlorvinphos and Glyphosate,” provides a critical and comprehensive look at the complex issues surrounding the use of these chemicals in agriculture. It highlights the need for a balanced approach that considers both the benefits of these substances in ensuring food security and the potential risks to human health and the environment.

Learn more about the cancer hazards by watching the video below.

This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.

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