Environmental News 22.7.13, Part II: Trust Us – We’re Monsanto – and Neonicotinoids Are Fine – Just Shut Up and Watch TV. Yep, study after study is showing that neonicotinoid based pesticides are lethal to bees, bats and amphibians and, though Europe is banning the use of this chemical, Americans are blithely continuing to spray it everywhere. According to a new study made by an international team of researchers (who started this study as soon as systemic insecticides began to be used 20 years ago) , Neonicotinoids suppress the immune system of many insects and insect eating animals before making their way higher up the food chain via larger predators… towards…us. DDT had a similar cascading effect, and the impacts from the “new and improved” pesticides could be even more devastating and costly, with the loss of bats and bees hitting the agricultural sector especially hard. Other studies also suggest that neonicotinoids persist in the environment for years, and signs of widespread contamination of bees in foraging areas: “Residues were also found in dandelions (Taraxacum spp.) foraged by bees; in dead bees collected near hive entrances and in pollen collected by bees and stored in the hive.” Researchers say. “This article is a wake-up call to the world authorities, environmental protection agencies and scientists to monitor thoroughly the waters and study the overall implications of systemic insecticides from a new perspective; that of human health and global biodiversity,” the study concludes. summitcountyvoice/2013/07/21/environment-pesticides-may-be-at-the-root-of-bee-bat-and-amphibian-die-offs/
Posted on: Sun, 21 Jul 2013 20:34:06 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015