#neonicitinoids

[typhlonectes]

New Study Finds That Bee-Killing Neonicotinoid Pesticides Are Harming Hummingbirds, Too

Canadian researchers found high concentrations of neonicotinoid pesticides in dead hummingbirds, which could be responsible for their population decline.

Recently, Health Canada announced a move to ban the use of certain pesticides containing chemical substances known as neonicotinoids. Scientists have long known such pesticides decimate bee populations, which is bad enough, considering several species have made the endangered list of late. However, current evidence exists showing how these substances harm more than just bees.

Researchers have found neonicotinoids present in the bodies of birds and other mammals as well. The substances have caused multiple hummingbird deaths. Scientists now fear what these substances could do to the human food chain as well as the planet’s ecology.

the term “neonicotinoids” refers to a class of chemicals related in atomic structure to nicotine. And just as nicotine acts on the human nervous system, neonicotinoid pesticides act upon the nervous system of invertebrates such as insects. Although most previous scientific evidence pointed to the fact these compounds are less toxic to vertebrates like birds, mammals and humans, the recent death of myriad hummingbirds from neonicotinoid toxicity indicates the chemicals may not be as innocuous as once thought [1]...

[rjzimmerman]

The application, if approved, would allow the highly toxic pesticide to be sprayed directly on 165 million acres of wheat, barley, corn, sorghum, alfalfa, rice and potato.

Just read the short excerpt, and add it to your mind list of the ways the EPA is determined to fuck up our health and our environment. The EPA’s mission to protect that which it is considering degrading even more.

Excerpt:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will consider allowing the bee-killing pesticide thiamethoxam to be sprayed on the most widely grown crops in the U.S. The application, if approved, would allow the highly toxic pesticide to be sprayed directly on 165 million acres of wheat, barley, corn, sorghum, alfalfa, rice and potato.

The proposal by the agrochemical giant Syngenta to dramatically escalate use of the harmful neonicotinoid pesticide came last Friday, on the same day the EPA released new assessments of the extensive dangers posed by neonicotinoids, including thiamethoxam.

"If the EPA grants Syngenta's wish, it will spur catastrophic declines of aquatic invertebrates and pollinator populations that are already in serious trouble," said Lori Ann Burd, director of the Center for Biological Diversity's environmental health program. "You know the pesticide-approval process is broken when the EPA announces it will consider expanding the use of this dangerous pesticide on the same day its own scientists reveal that the chemical kills birds and aquatic invertebrates."

Neonicotinoids have long been known to pose serious harm to bee populations. But the new EPA assessments found the commonly used pesticides can kill and harm birds of all sizes and pose significant dangers to aquatic invertebrates.

Thiamethoxam is currently widely used as a seed coating for these crops. This application would allow it to be sprayed directly on the crops, greatly increasing the amount of pesticide that could be used.

[typhlonectes]

The Same Pesticides Linked to Bee Declines Might Also Threaten Birds

Neonicotinoids are washing off of their host seeds and into water bodies—threatening not just aquatic insects but the birds that rely on them.

Neonicotinoids are washing off of their host seeds and into water bodies—threatening not just aquatic insects but the birds that rely on them.   

A 2015 study by the U.S. Geological Survey found neonics in 63 percent of water samples taken from 48 streams. In Canada, researchers detected at least one neonic—there are seven types on the market—in 91 percent of wetlands. Unlike many liquid pesticides, neonics can persist and accumulate in ponds for months, if not years. In other words, says the Center for Food Safety, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable agriculture, neonics are “almost tailor-made to contaminate the environment...”

[catalogue34-blog]

Why are we, any of us, surprised. And why hasn't this been monitored by anyone regularly? Successive governments have been utterly pathetic at protecting us and our environment. Utterly pathetic. And quite devastating to see our local river in this map, in alarming red. Is there something we can do to stop this? People we can write to to demand action?

[farmsteadmedia]

Gene Robinson, WH pollinator report

[papundits]

Still More Politicized Pseudo-Science?

Still More Politicized Pseudo-Science?

The neonics and honeybees saga takes interesting, potentially fraudulent turn

By Paul Driessen ~

Widening efforts to blame neonicotinoid pesticides for honeybee “colony collapse disorder” and other “beepocalypse” problems have taken a fascinating turn.

Insisting that scientific evidence shows a clear link between neonics and honeybee population declines, EU anti-insecticide campaigners persuaded…

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