Clipping of news on Brazilian Culture, Law and Citizenship
04/14/2015
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
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National Cancer Institute warns of contamination in food
Use of transgenic seeds boosted increased use of substances
A report released on Wednesday (8) by the National Cancer Institute, the Inca, calls for reducing the use of pesticides in the country. The text mentions that Brazil has become the largest consumer of these products on the planet, surpassing 1 million tonnes in 2009, equivalent to an average consumption of 5.2 kg per capita agricultural poison. Information is the study "Pesticides in Brazil: a guide to action in defense of life", published in 2011 by Flavia London researcher.
The institution states that the release of transgenic seeds in the country was one of those responsible for putting Brazil in the first place in this ranking, "since the cultivation of these genetically modified seeds requires large quantities of these products."
The document also indicates that the sale of pesticides has recorded steady increase in the country, jumping from R$ 2 billion to R$ 7 billion between 2001 and 2008, and reaching record highs of R$ 8.5 billion in 2001.
Health risk
Strip against pesticides was placed in North Lemon Tree, Ceará (Photo: Reuters / David Pinheiro)
According to the Inca, the current use practices of synthetic chemicals used to kill insects or plants in rural and urban environment offer health risk.
The institution states that these substances cause large problems like environmental pollution and poisoning of people, as workers and residents of the surrounding area of crops and livestock. "The acute poisoning (...) are characterized by effects such as irritation of the skin and eyes, itching, cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and death," says the note from the institute, based in Rio de Janeiro.
"Among the effects associated with chronic exposure to pesticide active ingredients can be cited infertility, impotence, miscarriages, birth defects, neurotoxicity, hormonal disruption, effects on the immune system and cancer," says the document.
Indirect contamination
Citing analyzes performed by official bodies such as the National Health Surveillance Agency, ANVISA, the Inca said that the presence of pesticides "occurs not only in food" fresh ", but also" in many processed food products by
industry, such as cookies, chips, breads, breakfast cereals, lasagna, pizza and other
having as ingredients wheat, maize and soya, for example. "
The institute said the concern with pesticides may not mean a reduction in the consumption of fruits and vegetables, which are considered essential foods in a healthy diet and of great importance in preventing cancer.
"The main focus is on combating the use of pesticides, which infects all sources of vital resources, including food, soil, water, breast milk and air," says the note.
The Inca finish the document citing that Brazil needs to change its policy of encouraging the production of pesticides, such as tax exemption sector - which, according to the report, is something that goes against the recommended protective measures - and the release types of substances that are banned in other countries.
It also asks that policy frameworks for tackling the use of pesticides are met to occur "progressive and sustained reduction" of these products in the country.
Source: G1
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This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.