Allergies are on the rise because of Chemicals Used to Chlorinate Tap Water and GMO crops
According to a report by sciencedaily.com a new study published in December 2012 by the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology showed that pesticides that contain dichlorophenol can increase the chances of allergies and food intolerance. Currently food allergies affect more than 15 million Americans and the allergies are on the rise.
Dichlorophenol is a chemical used in GMO crops as a pesticide to control weeds and pests and also in tap water to chlorinate it. But according to this study high level of dichlorophenol found in human’s body is related to food allergies.
The leading author of the study Elina Jerschow said that high levels of dichlorophenol in human body can weaken the immune system and cause food intolerance which leads to food allergies. She also mentioned that the environmental pollution and toxins are on rise in the US, so are the food allergies.
People mostly show allergies to milk, eggs, wheat, soy, nuts, peanuts, fish and shellfish. Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention food allergies were increased by 18% between 1997 and the year 2007. The symptoms of food allergies can vary from skin rashes to asthma or even life threatening conditions such as anaphylaxis.
Genetic Engineering can damage plant’s DNA and create new allergens:
The process of genetic engineering can result in massive changed in plants DNA and native genes might be even deleted or mutated. This damage can cause increase in allergies and creations of new pathogens and allergens. Also 86% more pesticides are used in GMO crops compared to non-GMO crops. Monsanto’s Roundup is one of the best selling weed killers around the world and the active ingredient in Roundup called “glyphosate” has been linked to nausea, cancer, infertility, headaches, allergies, itchy skin and rashes.
Monsanto is now joining the chemical company Dow for developing a new row of GMO corn called “Agent Orange Corn” that can be resistant to both Roundup and the active ingredient of Agent Orange called 2,4-D. Many studies have linked 2,4-D in Agent Orange to many health problems including cancer, liver toxicity, neurotoxicity, allergies, immune system disorder, Parkinson's disease and endocrine disruption.
No right to know what’s in our food
Since companies must have labels about what’s inside our padded toilet seats, why junk food industry is having a hard time to label GMOs? Last year Monsanto and other 6 big pesticide companies spent $46 million on a deceptive campaign against the will of 90% of all Americans not to label GM foods. This coming November the voters in Washington will make the final decision on whether or not to label GM foods in the state of Washington. Click Here for More Info
Resources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121203081621.htm
http://www.annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206%2812%2900671-0/abstract
Related Articles:
http://www.seattleorganicrestaurants.com/vegan-whole-food/Monsanto-Dow-agent-orange-corn.php
http://www.seattleorganicrestaurants.com/vegan-whole-foods/fact-checking-gmo-foods/#allergies
http://seattleorganicrestaurants.com/vegan-whole-foods/gmo-labeling-washington/
