The following article published in Friday's BA HERALD reveals some disturbing news about dangerous pollution coming from deadly pesticides being used by Argentine farmers. Here is the link with some highlights following:
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=45974
"The massive use of pesticides on fields of soy, the country’s top export, is creating a 'health catastrophe' in the rural sector, environmentalists warn.
A report by the Rural Reflection Group (GRR), a local environmental organisation, points to an increase in health problems in the countryside, such as cases of cancer at early ages, birth defects, lupus, kidney problems, respiratory ailments and dermatitis, based on the accounts of rural doctors, experts and the residents of dozens of farming towns."
"Soybean fields have replaced the protective green belts that traditionally surrounded rural towns, consisting of family gardens, dairy and small livestock farms, and fruit orchards, leaving local populations exposed to the damages of aerial spraying, says the study".
"Agronomist Alida Gallardo, an organic farmer in the Buenos Aires province town of Trenque Lauquen, said the problem in that area is 'extremely serious.' "
"Thirty years ago, living in the countryside was synonymous with healthy living, but now 'it is suicidal', said Mario Córcora from Junín, a city in the northern part of Buenos Aires province, which has been heavily affected by glyphosate spraying."
"A study by the Italiano Garibaldi Hospital in Rosario showed that in six towns in the region, the incidence of testicular and gastric cancer in males was three times higher than the national average; the incidence of liver cancer was 10 times higher; and the number of cases of pancreas and lung cancer was two times higher."
"Today, someone like Che Guevara would find it impossible to live in Alta Gracia, once known as a retreat for people with respiratory ailments, for its dry climate and fresh air".
"In Basavilbaso, in the northeastern province of Entre Ríos, 43-year-old Fabián Tomasi, who used to work spraying crops, has lost muscle mass and suffers from infections in the joints, skin problems, and digestive and respiratory ailments that force him to sleep sitting up. None of his health problems have been traced to any factor other than exposure to toxic agrochemicals.
Another case that has been studied in the same province is that of the Portillo family in the village of Costa Las Masitas. The father, Walter, is in a wheelchair because of nerve damage. One of his sons died at the age of eight after suffering fever, vomiting and headaches. Two of the boy’s young cousins also died."
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=45974
"The massive use of pesticides on fields of soy, the country’s top export, is creating a 'health catastrophe' in the rural sector, environmentalists warn.
A report by the Rural Reflection Group (GRR), a local environmental organisation, points to an increase in health problems in the countryside, such as cases of cancer at early ages, birth defects, lupus, kidney problems, respiratory ailments and dermatitis, based on the accounts of rural doctors, experts and the residents of dozens of farming towns."
"Soybean fields have replaced the protective green belts that traditionally surrounded rural towns, consisting of family gardens, dairy and small livestock farms, and fruit orchards, leaving local populations exposed to the damages of aerial spraying, says the study".
"Agronomist Alida Gallardo, an organic farmer in the Buenos Aires province town of Trenque Lauquen, said the problem in that area is 'extremely serious.' "
"Thirty years ago, living in the countryside was synonymous with healthy living, but now 'it is suicidal', said Mario Córcora from Junín, a city in the northern part of Buenos Aires province, which has been heavily affected by glyphosate spraying."
"A study by the Italiano Garibaldi Hospital in Rosario showed that in six towns in the region, the incidence of testicular and gastric cancer in males was three times higher than the national average; the incidence of liver cancer was 10 times higher; and the number of cases of pancreas and lung cancer was two times higher."
"Today, someone like Che Guevara would find it impossible to live in Alta Gracia, once known as a retreat for people with respiratory ailments, for its dry climate and fresh air".
"In Basavilbaso, in the northeastern province of Entre Ríos, 43-year-old Fabián Tomasi, who used to work spraying crops, has lost muscle mass and suffers from infections in the joints, skin problems, and digestive and respiratory ailments that force him to sleep sitting up. None of his health problems have been traced to any factor other than exposure to toxic agrochemicals.
Another case that has been studied in the same province is that of the Portillo family in the village of Costa Las Masitas. The father, Walter, is in a wheelchair because of nerve damage. One of his sons died at the age of eight after suffering fever, vomiting and headaches. Two of the boy’s young cousins also died."
