Is a #pesticidesfreeworld for children possible?

Voltaire Tupaz

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Is a #pesticidesfreeworld for children possible?
A global petition that calls on governments and corporations to phase out and ban pesticides asserts it is

MANILA, Philippines – At 5 years old, David can enumerate the scientific names of at least 20 fruits and vegetables. And at such a young age, he would throw away junk food for greens.

David acquired the habit from one of his babysitters, his toxicologist grandfather Dr Romy Quijano.

“I began to teach him about healthy diet, organic fruits and vegetables, and the dangers that pesticides bring to children’s health when he was about 3 years old,” according to Quijano.

His grandson may be eating safe food at home, but Quijano worries as soon David steps out of the house.

NO TO PESTICIDES. At 5 years old, David can enumerate the scientific names of at least 20 fruits and vegetables, and he wants them organic. Photo by Romy Quijano/PANAP

Quijano has a reason to be concerned. He studied the effects of toxic substances in banana plantations in Mindanao, in palm oil plantations in Malaysia, in a cashew plantation in India, and in garbage dump communities in Manila and Cebu.

According to Quijano, he has examined children harmed by pesticides and other toxic chemicals in his 38 years of work in the academe and as an advocate.

“I feel angry because big business continues the irresponsible manufacture and use of highly hazardous pesticides and other toxics with the complicity of governments, international agencies, corrupt bureaucrats and…scientists that promote or allow profiteering from toxic chemicals at the expense of health and environment, putting our children’s future in serious jeopardy,” Quijano said.

Harmful effects of pesticides

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), “unprecedented gains have been achieved” because of the use of pesticides in deterring agricultural pests. But UNEP admits pesticides “can cause harm to non-target species.”

According to the Pesticide Action Network  Asia and the Pacific (PANAP), the world uses nearly 2.3 million tons of pesticides every year, about 50 times more than it did in the 1950s.

The rampant use of pesticides in agriculture and food, homes, schools, gardens, and public places puts millions of children and adults at risk, claimed PANAP.

It exposes populations to the harmful effects of toxic chemicals, including debilitating and life-long health problems, PANAP said.

In the US alone, a study conducted by the non-profit group Beyond Pesticides, revealed that of the 40 pesticides most commonly used in schools, 28 are probable or possible carcinogens (cancer-causing), 26 cause reproductive problems, 26 damage the nervous system, and 13 are linked to birth defects.

#Pesticidesfreeworld

To mark the observance of International Children’s Day on Thursday, November 20, PANAP turned to social networking sites to raise local and international awareness on the harmful effects of toxic pesticides on the young population.

The online drive encourages Twitter and Facebook users to post photos of themselves and children holding a placard with the hashtag #PesticidesFreeWorld.

“Compared to adults, children suffer far greater risks of pesticide poisoning as well as physical and intellectual abnormalities due to harmful chemicals,” PANAP executive director Sarojeni Rengam said in a statement. “We chose to launch this campaign on International Children’s Day to better highlight the particular vulnerabilities that our children face in terms of pesticides exposure,” Rengam added.

At least 10 countries – India, Senegal, China, Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka – are participating in the online drive.

Rengam also urged netizens to sign a global petition that calls on governments and corporations to phase out and ban pesticides which put children’s health and safety at risk.

If you agree with the signature campaign, enlist your support here: Stop Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPS)– Rappler.com

 

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