Local Organic vs Conventional Foods The impact of

Local Organic vs Conventional Foods The impact of food on the environment and human health By: Shane Laderoute

Organic Foods £ Organic means food grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or conventional pesticides, and free of food additives. £ The European Union, the United States, Canada, and Japan are countries that require special certification in order to market food as organic. £ Since 1990~ Organic food production has grown 20% annually. £ April 2008~ Organic food accounts for 1 -2% of food sales worldwide.

Organic Certification £ 100% organic: grown without the use of pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, synthetic fertilizers or any type of genetic modification. £Organic: means that the product contains 95% organic ingredients. £Made with organic ingredients: means the product contains 70% organic materials.

Conventional Farming £ Use chemical herbicides to manage weeds. £ Spray insecticides and pesticides to reduce pests and diseases. £ Apply synthetic fertilizers to influence plant growth. £ Gives animals antibiotics and hormones to increase growth and reduce disease.

Organic Farming £ Organic farmers: £ Rotate crops, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds. £ Apply natural fertilizers- manure or compost to feed soil and plants. £ Feed animals organic feed and allow access to outdoors. £ Preventative Measures: Rotational grazing, balanced diets, and clean housing to minimize disease.

Environmental Impacts of Organic Farming

Environmental Impacts of Organic Farming £Farmers do not consume or release synthetic pesticides or fertilizers into the environment. (these pesticides have the potential to harm soil, water and local wildlife due to runoff) £They use less energy and produce less waste than conventional farmers.

Environmental Impacts of Conventional Farming £ High Food Miles: How far food travels from farmer who produces it to consumer who eats it. £ It not only reduces freshness, and increases costs as fuel prices go up, but it also increases carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. £ Food travels 50% further than it did in 1979 £ Conventional food travels 1, 500 miles while organic food travels 56 miles on average.

Environmental Impacts £ Pesticide runoff can contaminate water sources, animals, and other plants. £ Single crop farming can cause soil erosion and deplete the minerals and nutrients found in soil.

Energy Efficiency £ Organic Farmers release less carbon into the atmosphere from farmland soils. Because of crop rotation, and the use of manure and compost for the soils.

Energy £ 26% More energy efficient than non-organic farmers who produce the same amount of food. £ Artificial nitrogen fertilizers (produced by fossil fuels used by conventional farmers). £ Nitrogen accounts for 37% of agriculture total energy use and largest source of nitrous oxide. (worse than carbon dioxide).

£. A study done in the UK found that the number of kids with hyperactivity went down by 50% when additives were removed from their diets.

Human Health £Article published in the UK in 2004 by the Association of Primary Care Groups and Trusts concluded that a predominantly organic diet resulted in: £Reduced amount of toxic chemicals ingested. £Reduces amount of food additives and coloring.

Human Health £ It appears to lower incidence of cancer, coronary heart disease, allergies, and hyperactivity in children. £ Increases amount of beneficial vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants.

Human Health £ Pesticides affects workers causing acute health problems such as: £ Abdominal pain, dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and skin and eye problems.

Human Health £Severe problems of workers include: £Respiratory problems, memory disorders, dermatologic conditions, cancer, depression, miscarriages, and birth defects.

Human Health £ Pesticide Facts: £ Imported fruits from South America are more likely to have high levels of pesticides. £ A study in 2002 showed that organic foods had only 1/3 of pesticide residue on crops compared to conventional. £ 77% of conventional food has synthetic pesticide residue.

Most Contaminated Food £ £ £ £ £ 1) Strawberries 2) Bell Peppers 3) Spinach 4) Cherries 5) Peaches 6) Cantaloupe 7) Celery 8) Apples 9) Apricots 10) Green Beans

Human Health

Human Health £ National Research Council in 1993 determined that for infants and children the major source of pesticide exposure came from their diets.

Examples of Pesticide Use £ The pesticide Altrazine is a known teratogen that disrupts the endocrine system in frogs when exposed in small doses. £ DDVP (Dichlorvos) is a known carcninogen and dangerous to the human nervous system. EPA risk assesment does not exceed levels of concern.

Pesticides £ The World Health Organization estimates that about 25 million people suffer from some sort of pesticide poisoning and about 20, 000 of them die each year. £ Studies show that farmers who use pesticides have an elevated rate of prostate cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Parkinson’s and other chronic illnesses. Similarly children who are born to farmers who use pesticide chemicals have a higher rate of birth defects.

What Have We Learned? £ Organic food is less harmful to the environment based on farming techniques. £ Pesticides can affect many people’s health even if safety measures are taken. £ To always inspect where your food came from and wash your produce.

Resources £ “Pros and cons of Organic Farming”. http: //www. scionline. org/index. php/Pros_and_ Cons_of_Organic_and_Conventional_Agricult ure#Harmful_Effects £ “Organic Farming”. http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Organic_food#Env ironmental_impact

Resources £ “Prism Webcast News”. http: //prismwebcastnews. com/2008/04/30/tes co-carbon-footprint-study-confirms-organicfarming%E 2%80%99 s-energy-efficiency-butexcludes-key-climate-benefit-of-organicfarming-%E 2%80%93 -soil-carbon/ £ “Organic Consumers Association”. http: //www. organicconsumers. org/articles/arti cle_11662. cfm