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Honeybee disorders and high colony losses have become global phenomena. An international team of scientists synthesized recent findings on the effects of neonicotinoid pesticides on bees. Scientists conclude in the scientific journal Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability that owing to their large scale prophylaxic use in agriculture, their high persistence in soil and water, and their uptake by plants and translocation to flowers, neonicotinoids put pollinator services at risk.

A central question confronting scientists investigating the causes of bee decline is the impact of the low concentrations of neonics now widespread in the environment that honey bees are likely to encounter. A new review paper by Henk A. Tennekes and Francisco Sanchez-Bayo in the journal Toxicology (Volume 309, July 5, 2013, pages 39–51, attached) suggests that very low concentrations of neonics can have devastating effects on bees and—here’s the most important part—that conventional risk assessment approaches can miss or underestimate those effects.

Until now, most health studies have focused on the safety of glyphosate, rather than the mixture of ingredients found in Roundup. But in the new study, scientists found that Roundup’s inert ingredients amplified the toxic effect on human cells—even at concentrations much more diluted than those used on farms and lawns. The new findings intensify a debate about so-called “inerts” — the solvents, preservatives, surfactants and other substances that manufacturers add to pesticides. Nearly 4,000 inert ingredients are approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The French team, led by Gilles-Eric Seralini, a University of Caen molecular biologist, said its results highlight the need for health agencies to reconsider the safety of Roundup. “The authorizations for using these Roundup herbicides must now clearly be revised since their toxic effects depend on, and are multiplied by, other compounds used in the mixtures,” Seralini’s team wrote. The research team suspects that Roundup might cause pregnancy problems by interfering with hormone production, possibly leading to abnormal fetal development, low birth weights or miscarriages.

The European Food Safety Authority was requested to clarify whether the new publication on the effects of neonicotinoid seed treatments on bumble bee colonies under field conditions (March, 2013; Thompson et al.) has an impact on the EFSA Conclusions on the three neonicotinoids clothianidin, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid (EFSA Journal 2013;11(1):3066; EFSA Journal 2013;11(1):3067; EFSA Journal 2013;11(1):3068). The Conclusions on neonicotinoids, published on 16 January 2013, did not permit to perform a risk assessment for bumble bees and identified the need for further information to address the risk to pollinators other than honey bees. The conclusions of this scientific statement were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the study report by Thompson et al. (2013), and additional raw data made available by the study authors to EFSA. The study investigated the exposure of bumble bee colonies placed in the vicinity of crops treated with neonicotinoids and its major effects on bumble bee colonies. The current assessment concluded that, due to the weaknesses of the study design and methodology, the study did not allow to draw any conclusion on the effects of neonicotinoids on exposed bumble bee colonies, and confirmed that the outcome of the conclusions drawn for the three neonicotinoid insecticides remains unchanged.

Studies have shown that pesticide exposure can increase the risk of neuro-behavioral disorders such as autism, ADHD, hearing loss, and intellectual impairment. Over the past 30 years, autism rates have dramatically increased by 78 percent and ADHD rates are up three percent every year which have coincided with the rise in the use of pesticides in food. "Fetuses and children are most vulnerable to pesticide exposure due to their less-developed immune system," Professor Zwiauer, the head of the Department of Pediatrics at the Central Clinic in St. Polten, Austria warned. "They have a far greater chance of exposure and absorption in relation to body mass. Pesticide exposure at such an early age can interfere with their development and may even cause lifelong damage," he said. This includes developmental delays, behavioral disorders, and even possible motor dysfunction. In addition, Dr. Zwiauer also shared that pregnant women should also be careful because, along with their unborn child, they are very vulnerable to pesticide exposure. Pesticides can be transferred from mother to child in the womb. Some exposures can cause delayed effects on the nervous system as the baby's brain architecture establishes in the womb. In fact, there are several possible complications and health problems in children that can arise from exposure to pesticides, including childhood obesity and even cancer. Dr. Zwiauer explained that the best way to reduce the risk of pesticide exposure in infants and young children is to make sure they eat organic food.

The latest data shows organic sales in Canada have tripled since 2006 to 3.7 billion dollars a year. Matthew Holmes, Executive Director of the Canada Organic Trade Association said, “What we often deal with in the sector is not enough supply to meet that demand. We’re constantly trying to find new organic farmers and suppliers.” The biggest demand is for organic fruits and vegetables followed by organic beverages. The demand for organic grains and cereals are also strong. Organic beef is relatively low at one to two percent of total organic sales however it has the fastest growing demand of any sector. “There’s certainly a strong consumer for organic meat,” Holmes said, ”Meat that’s been raised without hormones or antibiotics in the feed, meat that’s been pastured and has access to the outdoors.” He said an increasing number of consumers want to know where their food was made, how it was made, how the livestock were treated and what inputs or amendments were used in growing the produce or raising the livestock.

Frogs and other amphibians have occupied the marshes of the earth for more than 300 million years. Yet a new study finds the ancient species living across the United States are disappearing at increasingly fearful rates. Scientists had recognized a decline in amphibian populations since the late 1980s due to continued encroachment. But many had not estimated the severity of population loss.“They are really declining globally,” said University of Illinois Conservation biologist Jeffery Brawn. “They are declining in Illinois, Mississippi, all across the states and abroad.” This month, the United States Geological Survey reported frogs and amphibians are vanishing at a rate of 3.7 percent a year and estimate half of their remaining habitat will die in the next 20 years. “Of all vertebrates, amphibians are showing the worst population declines,” Brawn said. If things are not taken control of, the frogs, toads and other amphibians would be wiped off this planet in next 20 years, the report suggests.

June Stoyer and special guest co-host Tom Theobald are joined by Dr Henk Tennekes (bibliography attached) to discuss his latest research, titled, "The molecular basis of simple relationships between exposure concentration and toxic effects with time." Listen to the broadcast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx5Oh-Vvrwo&feature=youtu.be
The following map-animations produced by Tom Theobald of Boulder County Beekeepers in Colorado, USA reveal how the use of two neurotoxic chemicals has spread across the American landscape since the 1990s (source maps were provided by the United States Geological Service):
imidacloprid http://www.bouldercountybeekeepers.org/animation.html
clothianidin http://www.bouldercountybeekeepers.org/animation2.html

These maps dramatically reveal how the use of these two neurotoxic chemicals has spread across the American landscape since 1999

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking input for guidelines it is developing for the assessment of cumulative risk, as defined in its 2003 publication, Framework for Cumulative Risk Assessment. The agency is requesting information and citations on approaches and methods for the planning, analysis, assessment and characterisation of cumulative risks to human populations and the environment. The guidelines will assist agency programmes and regions in the assessment of risk and in decision making, including the planning and development of regulations and permits,” the EPA says.