Scientists issue urgent warning about chemicals, found to cause cancer and infertility as well as harming environment

Scientists have issued an urgent warning that some of the synthetic chemicals that help underpin the current food system are driving increased rates of cancer, neurodevelopmental conditions and infertility, while degrading the foundations of global agriculture.

The health burden from phthalates, bisphenols, pesticides and Pfas “forever chemicals” amounts to up to $2.2tn a year – roughly as much as the profits of the world’s 100 largest publicly listed companies, according to the report published on Wednesday.

  • Rimu@piefed.socialEnglish
    25·
    7 days ago

    Asked whether the report could have looked beyond the groups of chemicals studied, Landridge said: “I would argue that they’re only the tip of the iceberg. They’re among the very small number of chemicals, maybe 20 or 30 chemicals where we really have solid toxicologic information.

    “What scares the hell out of me is the thousands of chemicals to which we’re all exposed every day about which we know nothing. And until one of them causes something obvious, like children to be born with missing limbs, we’re going to go on mindlessly exposing ourselves.”

    This situation is ridiculous.

    • OpenStars@piefed.socialEnglish
      102·
      7 days ago

      Fortunately, good solid healthy and untouched food is cheaply available in every grocery store, which is in no way genetically modified to maximize shareholder profits at the expense of The Poors who are exposed to eating it…

      It really killa me to have to put a /s here, damn - this would have been the perfect time for an actual For The Children slogan call to action, if anyone truly cared. Instead politicians will pretend to care, then line their pocketbooks, then laugh and carry on as usual if not worse than before.:-(

      • SpacetimeMachine@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        6 days ago

        None of the things mentioned have to do with GMOs. Which, IMO, are going to be instrumental in agriculture going forward as the climate continues to decline.

        • OpenStars@piefed.socialEnglish
          1·
          6 days ago

          If done properly, and with transparency offering choices. Sadly there is not so much trust in that these days that, similar to how Boeing handles airplanes and we know Monsanto and Roundup handles matters in their own respective areas. But then again… should there be?

          • SpacetimeMachine@lemmy.worldEnglish
            1·
            6 days ago

            That I do agree with. They need to be publicly funded and freely available to all of humanity so everyone can benefit from them.