crosspost from MCS-Canada
It seems to me that there is inordinate risk in the food supply.
The proliferation of strange illness/medical conditions can be from
unsuspected sources.
Kirk
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Subject: Plants Uptake Antibiotics
To: Recipients <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2007 23:46:14 -0400
"Plant uptake was evaluated in a greenhouse study involving three food crops:
corn, lettuce, and potato. Plants were grown on soil modified with liquid hog
manure containing Sulfamethazine, a commonly used veterinary antibiotic. This
antibiotic was taken up by all three crops. Concentrations of antibiotics were
found in the plant leaves. Concentrations in plant tissue also increased as the
amount of antibiotics present in the manure increased. It also diffused into
potato tubers, which suggests that root crops, such as potatoes, carrots, and
radishes, that directly come in contact with soil may be particularly
vulnerable to antibiotic contamination."
Further to Toxic Fertilizer linked to Mad Cow Disease? here is some more bad
news regarding antibiotic overload even through organic produce.... This
further emphasizes the need to buy our food from known local sources.
Those juicing please note that carrots particularly, are often used to clean
up toxic soils as they have a particular affinity to pick up toxins hence the
need to ensure clean sources....
Chris Gupta
http://tinyurl.com/2kwtv8
----------
Plants uptake antibiotics (Original is here.)
Public release date: 11-Jul-2007
Contact: Sara Uttech
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
608-268-4948
Soil Science Society of America
Routine feeding of antibiotics to livestock may be contaminating the environment
MADISON, WI, JULY 09, 2007- Scientists at the University of Minnesota have been
evaluating the impact of antibiotic feeding in livestock production on the
environment. This particular study, funded by the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA), evaluated whether food crops accumulate antibiotics from
soils spread with manure that contains antibiotics. Results from the study are
published in the July-August 2007 issue of the Journal of Environmental
Quality. The research was also presented in Indianapolis, IN at the Annual Soil
Science Society of America Meeting in November 2006.
Plant uptake was evaluated in a greenhouse study involving three food crops:
corn, lettuce, and potato. Plants were grown on soil modified with liquid hog
manure containing Sulfamethazine, a commonly used veterinary antibiotic. This
antibiotic was taken up by all three crops. Concentrations of antibiotics were
found in the plant leaves. Concentrations in plant tissue also increased as the
amount of antibiotics present in the manure increased. It also diffused into
potato tubers, which suggests that root crops, such as potatoes, carrots, and
radishes, that directly come in contact with soil may be particularly
vulnerable to antibiotic contamination.
The ability of plants to absorb antibiotics raises the potential for
contamination of human food supply. However, Satish Gupta, group leader notes
The adverse impacts of consuming plants that contain small quantities of
antibiotics are largely unknown. Consumption of antibiotics in plants may
cause allergic reactions in sensitive populations, such as young children.
There is also concern that consuming antibiotics may lead to the development of
antimicrobial resistance, which can render antibiotics ineffective.
Holly Dolliver, the lead scientist in this study, notes that antibiotics
consumed by plants may be of particular concern to the organic farming
industry. Manure is often the main source of crop nutrients for organic food
production, since regulations prohibit the use of synthetic fertilizers.
According to the USDA, producers must manage animal materials in a manner that
does not contribute to contamination of crops by residues of prohibited
substances, which includes antibiotics. However, manures containing antibiotics
are not formally banned or prohibited.
Further research is needed to investigate the presence of antibiotics in
edible parts of plants, especially vegetables that are consumed raw, and how
different plants absorb different antibiotic compounds. Research is ongoing at
the University of Minnesota to further investigate the potential fate and
transport of antibiotics introduced to the environment from livestock
operations.
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