| Recent concern has been brought to the attention of | | | | contact with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. |
| farmers, gardeners and the general public in the | | | | Research published in the journal of Occupational and |
| probable link between chemical fertilizers and cancer. | | | | Environmental Medicine in June of 2007 came to the |
| Because cancer has become prevalent amongst our | | | | conclusion that farmers and those who use pesticides |
| communities, we've seen a popular trend to return to | | | | and fertilizers (such as gardeners) have a greater risk |
| organic living. But as the popularity of organic living | | | | of developing brain cancer. |
| soars, so too does the concern of what's being used | | | | To determine the connection between brain cancer |
| on the produce we find in our local supermarkets. | | | | and weed and feed-type fertilizers, scientists |
| Over the years, the demand to grow, maintain and | | | | analyzed more than two hundred brain cancer cases |
| even sustain foods with longer shelf life has been | | | | and compared them to over four hundred healthy |
| taken to a new level. (The more research done, the | | | | people in a control group. Lifestyle information |
| more scientists realize that these farming techniques, | | | | including the exposure to pesticides or fertilizers was |
| emphasizing quantity rather than quality, means | | | | also determined. The study is among the largest to |
| fewer nutrients found in the produce we buy from | | | | specifically examine the link between occupational and |
| our local grocery stores.) | | | | environmental exposure to garden chemicals and |
| What has happened is that in order to keep up and | | | | brain cancer. |
| compete in the economy, companies, farmers and | | | | It was found that all agricultural workers exposed to |
| even gardeners have resorted to using pesticides and | | | | pesticides have a slightly greater risk of developing a |
| chemical fertilizers to enhance their produce. Chemical | | | | brain tumor, and of course those exposed to the |
| fertilizers are used to assist a plant's growth and | | | | highest levels have more than twice the risk of |
| then, once picked, used to make sure it will stay | | | | developing fatal brain cancer. |
| "fresh" through transportation, shelving and eventually | | | | Similarly, people who use pesticides on household |
| to your kitchen. (Again, this is why you want to | | | | plants were found to be at more than twice the |
| watch what you purchase in the local produce | | | | increased risk of developing brain cancer. More |
| section.) | | | | research needs to be done to identify the types of |
| Scientists have concluded that these chemical | | | | garden chemicals that pose the greatest risk for |
| fertilizers and pesticides used to "assist" our fruits | | | | triggering the development of cancer, but needless |
| and vegetables are actually causing cancer. This | | | | to say, why take a chance? |
| shouldn't shock you. Think about it. Our bodies are | | | | So whether you are a farmer, gardener, or just a |
| not designed to ingest loads and loads of chemical | | | | consumer, it is important that you reduce if not |
| fertilizers. The thing is, in our attempts to eat | | | | eliminate the use and direct contact of chemical |
| "healthy" we are actually introducing unnatural, | | | | fertilizers and pesticides. Continue to grow your own |
| counterproductive, and cancer-causing chemicals to | | | | fruits and vegetables but do so with the best all |
| our body. | | | | natural fertilizer you can find, not only for your |
| This warning should be especially given to farmers | | | | safety and health, but for your plants as well. |
| and gardeners because of their time and direct | | | | |