EPA says pesticide carbofuran poses health risk to children, bans it for use on food crops

October 7th, 2009 EPA to review health risk from popular weed killerWASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that it will re-evaluate the health effects of a popular weed killer that has been found in drinking water supplies. The EPA will take another look at the science on atrazine, a herbicide commonly used on corn and other crops, and decide whether further restrictions are needed to protect human health.

October 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new study, scientists in China have discovered that a natural plant hormone, applied to crops, can help plants eliminate residues of certain pesticides. The study, by scientist Jing Quan Yu and colleagues, noted that pesticides are essential for sustaining food production for the world's growing population.

September 10th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Chinese researchers have discovered a natural plant hormone that can help plants eliminate residues of certain pesticides. Researchers have been seeking new ways of minimizing pesticide residues that remain in food crops after harvest - with little success.

September 10th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists have discovered a naturally occurring hormone that helps plants rid themselves of certain pesticide residues. Scientists in China are reporting the "intriguing" discovery that a natural plant hormone, applied to crops, can help plants eliminate residues of certain pesticides.

August 18th, 2009 UN says 27 die in floods in northwest PakistanPESHAWAR, Pakistan — Flash floods have killed at least 27 people in northwestern Pakistan, and more than 80,000 have seen their homes or crops destroyed, U.N. and government officials said Tuesday.

August 13th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The circadian rhythms or biological "clocks" in some insects can make them far more susceptible to pesticides at some times of the day instead of others, reveal researchers at Oregon State University. The scientists said that with further research, they can tap into this genetic characteristic, identify the times that a target insect is most vulnerable to a specific pesticide, and use that information to increase the effectiveness, reduce costs and decrease the amounts of pesticide necessary for insect control.

August 13th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers have discovered that the circadian rhythms or biological "clocks" in some insects can make them far more susceptible to pesticides at certain times of the day than other. With further research, it may be possible to tap into this genetic characteristic, identify the times that a target insect is most vulnerable to a specific pesticide, and use that information to boost the effectiveness of a pesticide.

June 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new research has determined that new crops would be needed to be grown in the future if carbon dioxide (CO2) levels continue to rise. Global food security in a changing climate depends on the nutritional value and yield of staple food crops.

June 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The risk of toxic effects of pesticides on kids extends much longer into childhood than expected, reveals a new study at the University of California, Berkeley. Newborns' levels of an enzyme called paraoxonase 1 (PON1), critical to the detoxification of organophosphate pesticides, average one-third or less than those of the babies' mothers.

June 16th, 2009 SYDNEY - Organic gardeners can now look forward to a new, natural pest control thanks to an extract from the ginkgo biloba tree that has revealed its potential to act as an environmentally friendly pesticide. University of Waikato's biochemical engineering student Richard Gubb conducted the research under the supervision of Professor Alan Langdon and Dr.

May 9th, 2009 UN: Treaty expanded by 9 more dangerous chemicalsGENEVA — A U.N.-sponsored treaty to combat highly dangerous chemicals has been expanded to include nine more substances that are used in pesticides, electronics and other products, U.N. officials said Saturday.

May 8th, 2009 17 percent of US children under 5 may face hungerWASHINGTON — An estimated 3.5 million children under the age of 5 are at risk of hunger in the United States, according to a look at government numbers by an anti-hunger group. That's more than 17 percent of children who could suffer cognitive and developmental damage if they are not properly fed.

April 22nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, scientists have concluded that biofuel crops proposed for use in the Hawaiian Islands are two to four times more likely to become invasive pests in Hawaii and other tropical areas when compared to a random sample of other introduced plants. The research was done by scientists with the University of Hawaii Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, who examined the impact of unregulated planting of biofuel crops for their potential invasiveness and raised concerns about their impacts on Hawaii's environment.

April 21st, 2009 US biologists say 3 pesticides harm salmonSEATTLE — Federal biologists say three pesticides commonly used by farmers threaten the survival of many Pacific salmon and steelhead listed as threatened or endangered species in the West. The National Marine Fisheries Service said Tuesday it is recommending labeling restrictions, buffer zones between fish habitat and areas that are sprayed, and a ban on using the pesticides in windy weather.

April 15th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Fast food and soft drinks may be fattening children but they are also making them merrier, a new study has found. One way of tackling childhood obesity effectively is to reduce their consumption of unhealthy food and drink, and keeping them happy in other ways, according to Hung-Hao Chang from National Taiwan University and Rodolfo Nayga, University of Arkansas.