Healthy Nature

Yes.

You’ve heard us say on this blog that many scientific experts think eating conventionally grown foods poses no additional health risk.

That’s because the pesticide levels found in such foods are so low (and within the EPA’s standards) that they’re not likely to cause harm.

…But how much does science know really?

That’s true by and large for most people perhaps.

But what if even just a small amount of a certain pesticide is enough to pose serious health risks to a small enough number of people that research can’t yet identify?

Wouldn’t it be just a tad safer to eat foods which don’t even have these substances?

After all, a 0% chance of getting cancer in your lifetime would be much better than 1-2%, wouldn’t it?

Take a look at some of the most harmful chemicals you avoid (and their consequences) when you go organic:

1. Organophosphates

This name doesn’t sound threatening at first. Maybe if they gave these compounds more threatening names, consumers would see their danger more easily.

Anyway, organophosphates are a leading ingredient in pesticides.

You can experience blurred vision, dizziness, headaches, tremors, cardiac problems, and respiratory issues from acute exposure. You can also die from overexposure.

Over the long haul, your memory and information processing speed can be negatively affected.

2. Glyphosate

This is the active ingredient in one of the most common herbicides available.

It’s been reclassified as a 2A “probable carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Employees of the company whose product uses glyphosate have since sued the company, alleging it falsified information regarding the danger of the product as it was developed in the 1970s.

Several employees have become sick with various forms of cancer, and were given inadequate protection and warning to dangers of which the company knew.

3. Sulfoxaflor

This one’s going to cause you some serious concern. This insecticide is used to control honeybee populations.

But, that’s the not the astounding part.

The frightening part is that EarthJustice filed a lawsuit against the EPA for approving this insecticide because the EPA didn’t follow its own procedure for approving or disapproving this chemical like it’s supposed to.

In other words, the EPA broke the law during the approval process.

…The lawsuit actually succeeded. And sulfoxaflor is currently not allowed on the market!

The chemical has had varied claims as to its effects on people. Some groups say no problems are caused. Others say the chemical causes nervous system and liver problems.

Anyway, the point is that when you go organic, you mitigate (and frequently eliminate) your exposure to these toxic chemicals and the health problems they may cause.

Evidence is mixed. Debate is hot. But, you can still protect yourself and your family amidst the chaos.