Many people assume that the food they eat everyday is completely safe and healthy but what most do not know is there are hundreds of harsh chemicals put into their food that can lead to long-term health issues. Throughout time food production has evolved into a process in which the main concern is to make it last as long as possible by adding preservatives, chemicals and genetically modifying the plant breeds. By using these chemicals, it makes the growing process easier and cheaper, however, nutritional content and safety are really not taken into consideration. Almost all non-organic food contains at least some of these additives which raises a lot of concern. Severe health issues are commonly linked to chemicals in food and many are at risk.
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When a farmer uses harsh chemical sprays to maintain their crops, those chemicals are easily washed away in the water and blown away in the wind. According to GRACE Communications Foundation they have found that the, “widespread use of pesticides results in the loss of beneficial insects and the development of pesticide-resistant pests” (“Food Issues”). Many of the insects killed off by these pesticides are essential to the environment. For example, bees provide pollen that is essential to growing food and many other insects provide essential nutrients and food that humans require. Bees are one of the most affected insects by these chemicals and it has been shown that lots of pesticides classified by the EPA are considered highly toxic to bees, and when bees become sick from these pesticides the result is contaminated nectar and pollen (“Pesticides: What You Need to Know”). However, it 's not just the insects or animals around the farms that are affected it 's also the animals living on the farms that get slaughtered. Animals such as the chickens, pigs and cows are all mistreated and abused. They arrive on the farms and they are packed so tight they barely have space to move. Not only that, but they are “given constant low doses of antibiotics which are contributing to the development of antibiotic …show more content…
When pesticides are sprayed on crops there is oftentimes a large majority of the chemicals are washed in nearby rivers and other bodies of water which tarnish it greatly. A study done by The Natural Resources Defence Council found that, “75 percent of stream water and about 40 percent of all groundwater samples from agricultural areas contained atrazine, along with 80 percent of drinking water samples” (“Pesticides”). Pollutants in the water are not the only problem but chemicals and gases pollute the air when they are blown around off the crops. Some of the harmful gases released include hydrogen sulfate and methane, which can have severe repercussions on the human body (“Food Issues”). Another issue is that when farmers grow their crops they are supposed to have a rotation so that it gives the soil time to recuperate and restore its nutrients. However, most farmers do not allow the land where crops are grown to be appropriately rested and rotated. Many farmers also misuse fertilizers because “manure and chemical fertilizers are used to “feed” the soil, but through over-application these additives become a problem” (“Food Issues”). Therefore, the techniques farmers are using need to change because they are hurting the environment which is in return hurting the human
When a farmer uses harsh chemical sprays to maintain their crops, those chemicals are easily washed away in the water and blown away in the wind. According to GRACE Communications Foundation they have found that the, “widespread use of pesticides results in the loss of beneficial insects and the development of pesticide-resistant pests” (“Food Issues”). Many of the insects killed off by these pesticides are essential to the environment. For example, bees provide pollen that is essential to growing food and many other insects provide essential nutrients and food that humans require. Bees are one of the most affected insects by these chemicals and it has been shown that lots of pesticides classified by the EPA are considered highly toxic to bees, and when bees become sick from these pesticides the result is contaminated nectar and pollen (“Pesticides: What You Need to Know”). However, it 's not just the insects or animals around the farms that are affected it 's also the animals living on the farms that get slaughtered. Animals such as the chickens, pigs and cows are all mistreated and abused. They arrive on the farms and they are packed so tight they barely have space to move. Not only that, but they are “given constant low doses of antibiotics which are contributing to the development of antibiotic …show more content…
When pesticides are sprayed on crops there is oftentimes a large majority of the chemicals are washed in nearby rivers and other bodies of water which tarnish it greatly. A study done by The Natural Resources Defence Council found that, “75 percent of stream water and about 40 percent of all groundwater samples from agricultural areas contained atrazine, along with 80 percent of drinking water samples” (“Pesticides”). Pollutants in the water are not the only problem but chemicals and gases pollute the air when they are blown around off the crops. Some of the harmful gases released include hydrogen sulfate and methane, which can have severe repercussions on the human body (“Food Issues”). Another issue is that when farmers grow their crops they are supposed to have a rotation so that it gives the soil time to recuperate and restore its nutrients. However, most farmers do not allow the land where crops are grown to be appropriately rested and rotated. Many farmers also misuse fertilizers because “manure and chemical fertilizers are used to “feed” the soil, but through over-application these additives become a problem” (“Food Issues”). Therefore, the techniques farmers are using need to change because they are hurting the environment which is in return hurting the human