Pesticides

Over 4 billion pounds of pesticides are used worldwide each year.

90% of all pesticides have never been tested for long term health effects. Less than 1% of the US food supply is tested.

Pesticides cause cancer, birth defects and numerous health problems. Each year over two million people (50,00 cases in the US) suffer pesticide poisoning - over 40,000 die.

During the last 40 years pesticide use increased 1000% while crop loss to insects almost doubled, from 7 to 13%. (Insects become resistant requiring stronger though less effective applications.)

In the US, where 50% of the people rely on groundwater pesticides are found in the groundwater of over half the states.

70% of pesticides banned in the US because of their danger to health and the environment and expoerted to developing countries are used on food imported back into the US.

Toxins used in fertilizers Much of this information from the Natural Resources Defense Council.