<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Conventional milk contains toxics, says the USDA]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Fawn Pattison http://www.grist.org/article/got-chemical-and-pesticide-residues-in-your-milk/ Thu, 13 Mar 2008 03:44:55 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/got-chemical-and-pesticide-residues-in-your-milk/1 Toxics in milk

Thanks for this post, Tom.  Unfortunately, organic milk is saddled with some of the same problems as conventional milk, because pollutants like DDE bioaccumulate up the food chain and concentrate in animal products, like meat & milk -- including our wonderful human breast milk.  We've got to quit putting this junk into the environment in the first place!

]]> Toxics in milk

Thanks for this post, Tom.  Unfortunately, organic milk is saddled with some of the same problems as conventional milk, because pollutants like DDE bioaccumulate up the food chain and concentrate in animal products, like meat & milk -- including our wonderful human breast milk.  We've got to quit putting this junk into the environment in the first place!

]]> Comment #2 by GreenEngineer http://www.grist.org/article/got-chemical-and-pesticide-residues-in-your-milk/ Thu, 13 Mar 2008 03:56:55 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/got-chemical-and-pesticide-residues-in-your-milk/2 Regional variations

I'd like to see studies that differentiate between varieties of organic ag -- pasture-based systems and the confined style favored by mega-organic dairies like Aurora and Horizon.

As long as we're dreaming, I'd also like to see testing that differentiates based on where the milk was produced.  I suspect that it will be very different in different parts of the country, where the land has a history of more or less exposure to chemicals.

Of course, I doubt either of these tests will be done, at least not by the USDA.  Both are likely to show the big-organic producers in a bad light compared to their smaller brethren, and that's not something the USDA is generally interested in doing.

]]> Regional variations

I'd like to see studies that differentiate between varieties of organic ag -- pasture-based systems and the confined style favored by mega-organic dairies like Aurora and Horizon.

As long as we're dreaming, I'd also like to see testing that differentiates based on where the milk was produced.  I suspect that it will be very different in different parts of the country, where the land has a history of more or less exposure to chemicals.

Of course, I doubt either of these tests will be done, at least not by the USDA.  Both are likely to show the big-organic producers in a bad light compared to their smaller brethren, and that's not something the USDA is generally interested in doing.

]]> Comment #3 by jmh31 http://www.grist.org/article/got-chemical-and-pesticide-residues-in-your-milk/ Thu, 13 Mar 2008 04:26:49 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/got-chemical-and-pesticide-residues-in-your-milk/3 the nature of residue

I didn't see anything specific on the nature of the residue, mainly, is it homogeneously distributed, or it is limited to (say) just the skin?
It seems that fruits with skins that are commonly not eaten have low(er) amounts of residue, which leads me to believe that if an apple skin is discarded (or perhaps vigorously washed) it may have a lower dietary risk index.
Does anyone know?

]]> the nature of residue

I didn't see anything specific on the nature of the residue, mainly, is it homogeneously distributed, or it is limited to (say) just the skin?
It seems that fruits with skins that are commonly not eaten have low(er) amounts of residue, which leads me to believe that if an apple skin is discarded (or perhaps vigorously washed) it may have a lower dietary risk index.
Does anyone know?

]]> Comment #4 by sindark http://www.grist.org/article/got-chemical-and-pesticide-residues-in-your-milk/ Thu, 13 Mar 2008 04:28:12 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/got-chemical-and-pesticide-residues-in-your-milk/4 Concentration matters

The fact that something is 'present' isn't very meaningful, given that this could just mean a few parts per billion.

To make a sensible choice, people need data about the level of contaminants present, as well as the levels known to be harmful for normal people and members of vulnerable groups.

a sibilant intake of breath

]]> Concentration matters

The fact that something is 'present' isn't very meaningful, given that this could just mean a few parts per billion.

To make a sensible choice, people need data about the level of contaminants present, as well as the levels known to be harmful for normal people and members of vulnerable groups.

a sibilant intake of breath

]]> Comment #5 by Fawn Pattison http://www.grist.org/article/got-chemical-and-pesticide-residues-in-your-milk/ Thu, 13 Mar 2008 04:40:17 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/got-chemical-and-pesticide-residues-in-your-milk/5 re: Concentration matters

You make a good point Sindark, but in this case when you're talking about residues of DDE and dieldrin, for example, no level is okay.  Every exposure bioaccumulates in our tissue, so one very low exposure piles on top of another in our bodies.  We can even pass these exposures on to our children when they concentrate in breastmilk.  

]]> re: Concentration matters

You make a good point Sindark, but in this case when you're talking about residues of DDE and dieldrin, for example, no level is okay.  Every exposure bioaccumulates in our tissue, so one very low exposure piles on top of another in our bodies.  We can even pass these exposures on to our children when they concentrate in breastmilk.  

]]> Comment #6 by Corey McKrill http://www.grist.org/article/got-chemical-and-pesticide-residues-in-your-milk/ Thu, 13 Mar 2008 05:16:36 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/got-chemical-and-pesticide-residues-in-your-milk/6 A serious problem: America is addicted to cheese.

Here's an option: quit eating dairy.

Lactose intolerance is a problem for 1 in 5 adult Americans.  Yet, dairy is a ubiquitous part of our food and culture.  I get more blank stares when I request "no dairy" than my vegetarian girlfriend does when she asks for no meat.  Yes, it makes cutting dairy out of your diet (especially cheese), difficult.  I have several friends who admit to having some level of intolerance to dairy, but still eat it anyway, probably because it's so hard to avoid.  Most of my other friends and some family members, no matter how often I explain it, can't seem to comprehend why I, in fact, don't want to go get dinner at a pizza joint.

Perhaps if the public's awareness about industrial dairy production was comparable to that of industrial meat, we'd be more conscious of how much we actually consume on a daily basis.

Frequently asked technical questions about Grist's newsletters and website.

]]> A serious problem: America is addicted to cheese.

Here's an option: quit eating dairy.

Lactose intolerance is a problem for 1 in 5 adult Americans.  Yet, dairy is a ubiquitous part of our food and culture.  I get more blank stares when I request "no dairy" than my vegetarian girlfriend does when she asks for no meat.  Yes, it makes cutting dairy out of your diet (especially cheese), difficult.  I have several friends who admit to having some level of intolerance to dairy, but still eat it anyway, probably because it's so hard to avoid.  Most of my other friends and some family members, no matter how often I explain it, can't seem to comprehend why I, in fact, don't want to go get dinner at a pizza joint.

Perhaps if the public's awareness about industrial dairy production was comparable to that of industrial meat, we'd be more conscious of how much we actually consume on a daily basis.

Frequently asked technical questions about Grist's newsletters and website.

]]> Comment #7 by wiscidea http://www.grist.org/article/got-chemical-and-pesticide-residues-in-your-milk/ Thu, 13 Mar 2008 22:36:46 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/got-chemical-and-pesticide-residues-in-your-milk/7 Thank you Tom Phillpot...

... for bringing this report to our attention.

And, of course, thank you Organic Center for producing a balanced and unbiased assessment of pesticides in/on our food. I was very impressed by the examination of chemicals acceptable for organic agriculture and the potential hazards of those chemicals.

I've been searching for a list of chemicals acceptable for organic agriculturefor some time and now I finally have it. I was starting to wonder whether the industry preferred to keep a lid on their dark secret.

I look forward to more discussion of ALL the chemicals applied to our food, the hazards for human and other animals, and an exploration of exactly where all of those chemicals, synthetic and natural, come from.

I think it is time to demand elimination of ALL pesticides from agriculture. They are designed or extracted to kill insects. It is no surprise that even natural pesticides inflict collateral damage by harming insects like bees.

]]> Thank you Tom Phillpot...

... for bringing this report to our attention.

And, of course, thank you Organic Center for producing a balanced and unbiased assessment of pesticides in/on our food. I was very impressed by the examination of chemicals acceptable for organic agriculture and the potential hazards of those chemicals.

I've been searching for a list of chemicals acceptable for organic agriculturefor some time and now I finally have it. I was starting to wonder whether the industry preferred to keep a lid on their dark secret.

I look forward to more discussion of ALL the chemicals applied to our food, the hazards for human and other animals, and an exploration of exactly where all of those chemicals, synthetic and natural, come from.

I think it is time to demand elimination of ALL pesticides from agriculture. They are designed or extracted to kill insects. It is no surprise that even natural pesticides inflict collateral damage by harming insects like bees.

]]>