Hello.

I agree that harmful chemicals should not be used for growing food. This study reinforces my decision to purchase certain organic products.

However, I would like to know whether there is clear evidence that the following chemicals do not harm humans, other animals, or the environment...

copper ammonium carbonate
copper sulphate
copper oxychloride
rotenone, sulphur
nicotine sulfate
veratrine
azadirachtin
salannin
potassium permanganate
pyrethrin

The chemicals are "natural" and used by organic growers. But it is difficult to find information indicating why they are considered safe, whether thye cause long-term ecological damage, or whether residue remains on organic produce. Some affect mammals that could be foraging around organic farms. Another kills fish.

Really... if someone uses rotenone, how do I know they are using it responsibly? How do I know that the apple I just ate did not indirectly kill a bunch of fish? Sure, I'm told the chemicals break down quickly and will not poison me, but shouldn't the products be labeled so I can make an informed decision?

Before someone posts the inevitable reply... I think ALL food should be labeled to indicate where it came from, whether it is a GMO, and exactly what chemicals were sprayed on the plant, whether conventional or permitted under organic farming rules. Consumers should be fully informed.

I've noticed that some of the chemicals I listed above are imported from China. I hope the chemicals are produced, packaged, and shipped in an environmentally friendly manner.

Rather than water bottles, polycarbonate coffee mugs might a more important exposure route for bis phenol A which is the EDC of interest leaching from polycarbonate. The then Environment Agency (now Ministry of Environment)ten years ago was planning to promote the use of reusable polycarbonate bottles for beverages. They conducted a study that found that the amount of bis phenol A leaching from polycarbonate increased dramatically with number of washings with alkali detergent. While water bottles may only get an occasion hit of hot water, coffee mugs are filled with hot beverages on a daily basis.

Sorry, I forgot to mention is was the Japan Environment Agency in my previous post.

The mirror fields of solar thermal are not very damaging.  Mount the whole apparatus on already exploited land, like old military bases or desert salvage yards or old factory sites.  

Plenty of those in the sunny southwest.  Huge building rooftops, like malls or factories could host mirror fields for solar thermal.

I think concentrating PV is ready for rooftops at a competitive price with large scale wind.  10 suns produces 39% efficiency according to NREL.  Increasing kwh yield by three, and reducing the area of PV cells by 90%.  

A different design is needed for small and medium distributed wind.  The slower more disturbed winds over marginal sites need a larger surface area vertical axis machine.

Thanks Gar.  Great read!

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