Conventional Farming: how it affects the environment and our bodies
Are you lactose intolerant? Research suggests: maybe not.
Experts estimate about 68% of the world’s population experiences symptoms of lactose intolerance. Yet, pesticides from farms can cause the same symptoms as lactose intolerance.
Bioaccumulation explains how the presence of pesticides can travel up the food chain. First, the plants sprayed with pesticides soak up the toxins from the surrounding environment. Then, the cows that eat these plants harbor lesser amounts of these toxins in their bodies. Later, traces of these same toxins appear in the cow’s milk sold on grocery store shelves, which eventually make their way into the human body human body. Finally, the small intestine. absorbs the nutrients into the bloodstream,
Organochlorine pesticides have been found in pasteurized milk, and the effects of exposure are worrisome worrisome. Symptoms of exposure include nausea, vomiting, tremors, salivation, and sweating. A study conducted by Emory University showed pesticides in 60% of their tested conventional dairy samples.
Besides the worrisome symptoms, why is this dangerous? The Dutch research journal, Environmental Research, has published the discovery of quantifiable amounts of microplastics in the human bloodstream. This specific experiment was a small sample size, so the need for further research is imperative.
Common agribusiness pesticides include microplastics to increase the product’s lifespan. These allow for a slow-release of the chemicals . This technology allows the customers to buy the pesticides, less often, since each purchase gets them more bang for their buck. Studies have shown that plants can absorb a certain amount of microplastics. However, we have yet to know if the same resilience extends to humans.
Adding to this, Willie Peijnenburg, an environmental toxicology professor, has disproven previous research. He states that microplastics about 200 nanometers large can be absorbed into the edible parts of produce. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials by Evangelos Danopoulos, “We are exposed to these particles every day: we’re eating them, we’re inhaling them. And we don’t really know how they react with our bodies once they’re in.”
While not yet confirmed, the chance of microplastics absorption from conventional dairy products remains an ever-present thought. As the experts have said, we have reason to be concerned, but the concrete results remain unknown.
Lauren Lukacs is a writing team member at VAYCC.
