PAN UK has produced a graphic new poster illustrating how much of our food is contaminated with pesticides. For example, 93 per cent of the (non-organic) oranges in one study had residues, and 78 per cent of apples. Even staple foods, such as bread, have traces of toxins. These are not occasional findings: they are routine. The health effects of chronic exposures to these chemicals can be serious: disorders found in studies to be associated with pesticides include Parkinson’s disease, cancer, suppression of endocrine function, kidney damage and neurobehavioural deficits in children. The poster displays current PAN UK campaign targets, and easy-to-understand explanations of key issues. It is supported and designed by The Sheepdrove Trust.
A3 copies are available free of charge – send an A4 stamped addressed envelope to PAN UK. For an A2 copy we suggest a donation of £5. For up to five copies £10 and £1 for each additional copy. See http://www.pan-uk.org/poster.htm for more information.
[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 65, September 2004, page 8]