Contemporary agriculture is difficult to understand without the use of pesticides, natural or artificial chemical compounds destined to intoxicate arthropods and other animals that could threaten plantations.
These compounds allow the integrity of our crops not to depend on periodic pests or to lose a fraction of our production consumed by these animals every year.
Problems that transcend agriculture associated with pesticides
Pesticides pose two major problems. The first, regarding human health: if these compounds end up in our food chain, they can pose a risk to our health.
The second risk is environmental: these compounds can end up spreading beyond our orchards and greenhouses, causing harm to the environment.
The possibility of consuming toxic substances in our food is scary. It’s normal. But would it really be justified to eliminate entire categories of our diet out of fear of pesticides? Perhaps before jumping to conclusions, it is important to have an understanding of the magnitude of the problem.
Legislation and magnitude of the problem
A magnitude that can vary depending on our location: each country has its own legislation when it comes to regulating the use of pesticides, but the ability to enforce those laws may also depend on our geographical context.
In Europe, the European Environment Agency (EEA) published a report in 2023 analyzing the impact of pesticides on the environment and our health.
They observed, for example, levels “above the worrying threshold” in 22% of the monitored points in rivers and lakes across the continent. They also referenced a study published in 2019 where pesticide residues were found in 83% of agricultural soils in Europe.
Presence of pesticides in our bodies
But the trace of pesticides is not only followed in the environment, but also in our own bodies. In this case, the EEA refers to a study that monitored participants in five European countries between 2014 and 2021.
The result: they found evidence of the presence of at least two types of pesticides in 84% of the sample. According to the agency, the detected levels were usually higher in children compared to adults.
Impacts on health
And what consequences can pesticides have on our health? It all depends on the pesticide and the dose. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pesticides are “potentially toxic to humans and can have both acute and chronic effects on health depending on the amount and the way a person is exposed.”
The people most exposed to these agents are not necessarily consumers, but those at greater risk are those who handle them, either in their work or in their homes and gardens, adds the UN agency.
The EEA indicates some of the potential effects on our health. These include cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma, ovarian and prostate; neurological problems such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases; cardiovascular diseases; problems in the development of children; reproductive problems in both men and women; and cognitive problems, among others.
Is there a solution?
The obvious question is, is there a solution? Washing the fruits and vegetables we consume is a simple act that helps reduce our exposure to these types of agents. But it doesn’t solve the problem: this action does not eliminate all pesticides used in agriculture, does not prevent other forms of exposure, and does not reduce their presence in the environment.
In an interview with the BBC, Navarro de Castro proposed a simple solution within reach of consumers. “From a collective point of view, many simple things could be done, such as eating seasonally,” becoming aware of the origin of each product we bring into our homes (and stomachs).”
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