Various investigations and concerning research reports reveal that although a Pesticides Act exists to safeguard consumer interest, there is no MRL (Maximum Residue Level) in place or regulations to enforce it. Nearly every food item from rice to veggies and fruits available in the market are contaminated with poisonous pesticides, authorities caution. Pesticides and insecticides could be detrimental to people’s immune and reproductive systems. It can even lead to infertility. Developmental toxins’ in these chemicals may adversely affect the development in children. They may also act as endocrine disrupters, leading to hormonal imbalances. These chemicals are also not biodegradable(able to decompose naturally). As such, they persist for a long time and get transferred into the food chain. This means that overtime, they get deposited in the human body.
PharmaTutor (December- 2013)
Authors: Raaz K Maheshwari, Priyanka Singh