Since
1945, the use of pesticides has risen 3,300 percent, however crop loss due to pests has not decreased. Despite the fact that USA (on average) uses 2.2 billion pounds of pesticides annually,
crop loss has increased by 20 percent. To make matters worse these statistics were taken
a decade ago,
and if you remember anything from your high school biology class,
pests evolve and adapt swiftly to the new environment. Now,
with tougher pests you need stronger chemicals, and the
vicious cycle continues. Since there is a high demand for these pesticides, hundreds of thousands of chemicals are
produced (yearly) and they have to be screened by the EPA. Theoretically, this is what EPA should do
and would like to do. However, unfortunately their major back-logs and a
continuous stream of chemicals are constantly being pushed by respective firms thus creating a loop hole
where a couple of hundred chemicals make it to the market without ‘intensive’
screening -- among them are several neonicotinoids.
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| Photo: taken from the ACS 'molecule of the week.' Clothianidin- |
One of the first neonicotinoids to
make it to the market was Clothianidin. This insecticide was jointly developed by Bayer
and Takeda Chemical Industries to replace nicotine (as an insecticide). As a Side note, nicotine was thought of to be a good
insecticide, however it degrades too quickly thereby not practical in large
scale production. In
general neonicotinoids have an affinity for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors which are in control of sodium channels
responsible for cell signaling. These neural receptors bind with the
neonicotinoid which results in paralysis and death in insects – no cell
signaling, no movement. Since there were massive domino effects on bees
and other organisms, several neonicotinoids have been issued a 2-year ban for
further investigation.
Due to the wide-spread usage here
in the USA, bee populations are are already feeling the heat.In a memorandum to federal agencies Obama ordered the EPA to assess the impact
of all pesticides, on pollinator health with a deadline of 180 days. EPA has
started the assessment, which now has a deadline. There are
environmental advocacy groups pressuring EPA to ban neonicotinoids because of
its impact on bees. Larissa Walker, head of the pollinator campaign at the
Center for Food and Safety says, “The White House announcement is on the right
track, but assessment and habitat building alone won’t save our pollinators.” What
do you think will come about this?
-Quote taken from C&EN article
“The White House and Bees.”
Blogger:
Michael (Mykola) Schur
Chemical Engineering student at Calvin College
@Mykola_Shchur
