We know that pesticides are harming the animals – from creatures who live in the oceans, to larger animals living on farms, in jungles, on prairies, and even flying above our heads. But even more worrisome, they seem to be a threat to endangered species roaming the earth.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just released an analysis pinpointing the collective impact that just 3 pesticides have on a surprising 97% of all the animals on endangered and threatened species lists nationwide.
These 3 common pesticides—chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion—are causing unwanted damage to the natural world.
1. Chlorpyrifos
Chlorpyrifos is manufactured primarily by Dow Agro Sciences LLC, Cheminova, Makhteshim-Agan, Garda, and Platte Chemical. It is an organophosphate pesticide that is harmful to animals and the environment. It is said to be a severe risk to 97% of America’s most threatened flora and fauna.
Chlorpyrifos is used in agriculture for feed and food crops and in cattle ear tags. This type of pesticide is also used on golf courses, and to control fire ants and mosquitoes for ‘public health.’ Products containing chlorpyrifos are also used to treat wood fences, and utility poles, as well as to exterminate termites, mosquitoes and roundworms.”
It works by blocking an enzyme which controls messages that travel between nerve cells. When the enzyme is blocked, the nervous system can’t send normal signals. The problem is that this is also how it can harm innocent animals, including those on the endangered species list.
2. Diazinon
Diazinon pesticide has been found it in at least 25 of the 1699 ‘National Priorities List’ cleanup sites that have been over-dosed with the chemical. Usually when this substance is in the environment at even moderate levels, humans are evacuated. You can imagine how animals might fare when exposed to this pesticide. It also lingers in soil, air, and water for decades.
An organophosphorus insecticide, Diazinon is used to control pest insects in soil, on ornamental plants, and on fruit and vegetable field crops. It’s sold under common trade names including Alfatox, Basudin, AG 500, Dazzel, Gardentox, and Knoxout. The EPA banned this insecticide in 2005, but it is still hurting endangered animals.
Diazinon threatens 79% of endangered species.
3. Malathion
Also an organophosphate, Malathion targets insects by causing their nervous system to break down. It directly affects how the liver and kidneys work in both animals and humans.
As the Guardian reports:
“Malathion, an insecticide registered for use in the US since 1956, is likely to cause harm to 97% of the 1,782 mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and plants listed under the Endangered Species Act. Malathion is commonly used to treat fruit, vegetables and plants for pests, as well as on pets to remove ticks.”
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The report reveals that malathion and chlorpyrifos harms an astounding 97% of the 1,782 animals and plants protected under the Endangered Species Act. Diazinon harms 79%. The report does not mention glyphosate (the main ingredient in Monsanto’s best-selling herbicide Roundup).
Lori Ann Burd, Environmental Health Director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement:
“For the first time in history, we finally have data showing just how catastrophically bad these pesticides are for endangered species—from birds and frogs to fish and plants. These dangerous pesticides have been used without proper analysis for decades, and now’s the time to take this new information and create common-sense measures to protect plants, animals and people from these chemicals.”
The EPA has allowed more than 16,000 chemicals to be registered for use without proper scientific research to determine their effects on the world around us, and our own health. The fact that the EPA has released this analysis is a step in the right direction.
Indeed, 800 million pounds of pesticides are going to cause some hefty damage. Many pesticides are said to evaporate in days, but some linger in the soil, air, and water for years, or even decades, and we still don’t know the synergistic effect of all these chemicals when used together. What is known for sure is that the more pesticides are used, the more difficult it is for the environment to ‘detox.’ The same goes for the animals and us.
Hopefully, armed with this new information provided by the EPA, we can do something before it is too late.
Sources:
EcoWatch