One group is serious about the Trump administration’s promise to “Make America Healthy Again.” The Center for Biological Diversity is petitioning Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other federal agencies to ban highly toxic pesticides in food.
Lori Ann Burd, the Center’s environmental health director, believes many in Tennessee would support this action. She highlights that over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used in the U.S. each year. “Banning the most dangerous pesticides would protect consumers and keep farmworkers and surrounding communities safe,” Burd says.
Consumer Reports found alarming pesticide levels in 20% of the foods tested, including popular items like blueberries and green beans. Some of these levels were 100 times higher than what is considered safe.
Burd also points out that Secretary Kennedy identified certain herbicides, like atrazine, as toxic. This herbicide, mainly used on corn, is linked to water contamination and various health issues. Additionally, glyphosate, the most widely used pesticide in the U.S., is suspected to be a carcinogen.
The Modern Ag Alliance calls glyphosate essential for increasing crop yields in Tennessee. The petition urges the FDA to ensure imported foods are safe, the EPA to ban harmful pesticides, and the USDA to promote pesticide-free farming practices. It also calls for clearer dietary guidelines regarding harmful pesticides.
In Iowa, environmental advocates want lawmakers to tighten regulations on large livestock farms to better protect the state’s air and water. Iowa Food and Water Watch highlights that only 4% of its concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) have Clean Water Act permits.
Jennifer Breon, an organizer with Food and Water Watch, emphasizes the importance of cleaning Iowa’s drinking water. She explains that the state’s CAFOs produce 109 billion gallons of manure each year, contributing to water pollution and recreational hazards, like beach closures due to E. coli and algae blooms.
Despite numerous violations, Iowa’s factory farms have faced only about $750,000 in fines over the last decade. Advocates argue that stricter regulations are essential to protect the environment and public health.
Research indicates that toxic additives in the U.S. food supply may have been overlooked, despite FDA regulations. In Montana, Senate Bill 155 aims to establish a state panel to create and enforce rules limiting toxic additives in food, like certain food colorings. Senator Daniel Emrich, who sponsored the bill, believes it will help evaluate the health effects of consuming these toxins.
A recent study revealed that 98.7% of new chemicals in the food supply since 2000 were not approved by the FDA. Emrich advocates for closer regulation to improve public health and potentially save Montana millions in healthcare costs.
Like too much salt can harm your health, excessive road salt harms the environment. Since 2020, nearly 600,000 tons of salt have been applied to roads in Pennsylvania. Harry Campbell from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation warns that streams are becoming saltier, threatening freshwater species.
During Winter Salt Week, starting January 27, there will be efforts to educate the public on using road salt responsibly and exploring eco-friendly alternatives, like beet juice. Proper salt application is crucial to minimize environmental impact.
Homeowners are encouraged to avoid harmful rock salt, opting instead for safer options like magnesium chloride or calcium magnesium acetate, which are less harmful to pets and plants. Reducing salt use can benefit local waterways and improve ecosystem health.
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