Americas Government Limits Health Benefits
My Current Read
📖 Name of the Article: The E.P.A. Promotes Toxic Fertilizer. 3M Told It of Risks Years Ago
Written by: Hiroko Tabuchi from the New York Times
📄 General Idea: Microbiologists revealed that the toxic materials, popularly called “forever chemicals”, emitting from fertilizers is causing harm to our bodies and future children. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continues to allow this despite being notified of these issues in 2003.
💭 My Thoughts: We’ve been made a joke because of our countries lack of research in certain, widely advertised events but now it seems like we’re getting fooled right under our noses. Despite any political beliefs I think anyone would say indirectly mixing the food we eat with the waste coming from our bodies is disgusting. The fact that it’s spreading sickness is even more foul. What’s the point of the EPA’s regulations that are made to keep us SAFE if they don’t follow through with their duty? Scientists weren’t tying themselves to buildings for nothing a few years back and it’s sad that I chose to overlook the issue then. Being older with more wisdom really allows me to understand the severity of these issues.
⭐ Why: Spreading awareness and creating conversations about relevant issues brings ease to my forever racing mind. I like seeing others who care about society after us as much as I do. It’s almost like technology took over our involvement in critical thinking and I dislike the inauthenticity of that. Everything should be done with consideration of how it’ll affect our young. How am I supposed to live my dreams on a farm if the fertilizer I’ll be encouraged to use would ultimately damage the health of my kids?
✨What Next: I’ll recommend looking into more holistic and natural practices to continue living out your life free of any defects. Create what you need instead of buying goods as often as we do. It’s a slow transition (one I haven’t even started really😂) but self sufficiency is my end goal. It’s started with creating tinctures and other home remedies to something large like catering to your own garden. I have a bit of wishful thinking but living in a world where our talents/services could be traded off by another’s expertise sounds lovely. A little too nice, so settling with something in between would be a good end game for me. What are your thoughts on this?
Toxic chemicals known as PFAS, commonly referred to as 'forever chemicals,' have been increasingly found in sewage and fertilizers used in agriculture. This alarming trend has raised significant concerns regarding the health implications linked to these substances, which have been associated with serious health risks including birth defects and cancer. Despite scientific warnings dating back to the early 2000s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to promote the use of sewage sludge as fertilizer without mandated testing for PFAS levels. This negligence not only jeopardizes public health but also contaminates the soil, effectively rendering it unsafe for farming activities. In recent years, society has begun to awaken to the scale of this issue, with various stakeholders including academics, whistleblowers, and concerned citizens highlighting the dangers posed by PFAS. In fact, some states have witnessed political shifts as voters seek to ban the use of sewage sludge fertilizer in response to mounting public pressure. The EPA has recently acknowledged these concerns, declaring PFAS an urgent public health and environmental issue while pledging to better regulate contaminated biosolids. As citizens grow more aware of the implications of toxic fertilizers, there’s an increasing push towards natural farming practices and self-sufficiency. Embracing holistic approaches can not only mitigate health risks but also enhance the sustainability of our food systems, ultimately safeguarding future generations. Transitioning from conventional fertilizers to organic alternatives empowers individuals to take control of their health and the environment, fostering a sustainable and health-conscious food landscape.