However, a study published in June found that pesticides can introduce the same risk of cancer as smoking, especially in communities with heavy agricultural production. Since people are often not exposed to a single pesticide but rather a cocktail of various chemicals, the researchers created different profiles of how pesticides are used in agriculture across various counties instead of looking at each pesticide individually. They then tested these profiles against cancer rates.
The study identified the most commonly used pesticides in counties with usage patterns linked to the highest cancer rates. For instance, atrazine, widely used to kill weeds on row crops like corn, sugarcane, and sorghum, was linked to higher rates of colon cancer. Glyphosate, on the other hand, was associated with higher rates of colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, and all cancers in general.
Although pesticides like cyprodinil, which are used to control a range of fungal diseases, are not as widely researched for their cancer risk compared to atrazine and other extensively studied pesticides, they were also found to be linked with high cancer rates. For instance, the researchers found that cyprodinil was associated with leukemia. “Agriculture chemicals that include pesticides and defoliants such as Roundup (glyphosate) and other such chemicals seem to, in general, have a pro-cancer effect.
These chemicals can do this by interfering with the human body’s immune system, which is the first line of defense for fighting cancer,” holistic and integrative medicine physician Dr. Yusuf Saleeby told The Epoch Times. Regardless of the potential dangers of these pesticides, agricultural production relies on them to maintain productivity, Mr.
Zapata said. “Even when we identify those compounds that are very harmful, we need them because you cannot have the amount of productivity in those regions without the use of those chemicals. It’s just unrealistic to think that you can just take them out.
” Dr. Saleeby offered some simple solutions for people. “The No.
1 thing you can do is avoidance. Avoid exposure, like moving from a farm that uses agents, avoiding sprayed crops or foods, and eating as organic as possible.” He also suggested administering pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products that help “pull” toxins out of the system.
These may include binders and chlorella, a freshwater algae. He also suggests participating in activities that encourage fluid excretion, such as drinking more water to promote urination and going to saunas to sweat out possible toxins. Dr.
Saleeby said there is no “cookbook way” to manage pesticide exposure. Instead, it takes an individualized approach..
