It's Time to Ban Dangerous Neonicotinoid Pesticides By Shelley
Stonebrook, Mother Earth News Germany, France and Italy have
banned a class of potent pesticides called "neonicotinoids."
This class of pesticides includes imidacloprid, clothianidin and
thiamethoxam. Evidence linking these neonicotinoid pesticides to
the honeybee decline known as colony collapse disorder has been
mounting. Now, new research suggests residues could be harmful
to humans, yet these poisons are still in widespread use across
the United States. Named for their chemical structure, which is
similar to that of nicotine, neonicotinoids are systemic
pesticides, meaning they're in every part of a plant. Generally,
seeds are coated in the pesticide before they're planted, and,
as a plant develops, the chemicals move into the leaves, roots,
pollen, nectar, and even the food products eventually made from
the crop. If insects feed on any part of the plant - even water
droplets released by plant leaves - the pesticide, a neurotoxin,
kills them.