"The industry wants to direct the conversation away from the role of neonicotinoids and focus on this mysterious “disorder” that is going to consume millions of dollars and years more research. While collapse certainly occurs, it is just one of many symptoms of neonic poisoning, perhaps more dramatic and noticeable, but a symptom, not a disorder. There is an avalanche of credible, peer reviewed science, but the regulators and congress choose to simply ignore it lest they raise the ire of their chemical handlers." -- Tom Theobald
"IT'S THE FOX GUARDING THE HENHOUSE," SAYS A FORMER EPA RESEARCH SCIENTIST. "IT'S CORPORATE GREED OVER ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY."
The U.S. Geological Survey just published a report about
neonicotinoids being in streams all over the country.
BY COCO MCPHERSON
"The USGS study simply says that these chemicals are found in half the streams we've sampled. The USGS is a scientific body and they're very careful, but I think it does add to a huge body of evidence – for instance, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with their meta-analysis of 800 studies showing that these chemicals are really a problem for pollinators and other beneficial insects, and they're a huge problem for aquatic insects. Neonics are easily transported from soil into water, and they're very toxic to aquatic organisms that make up the base of the food chain for fish and for the birds who eat the insects. What's really interesting is that there are almost no studies coming out that are saying these chemicals are safe. "
What about the chemical companies?
As each new study says this is continuing to be a problem, it does get harder for the chemical companies to say that this isn't a problem. They'll always point to the uncertainties inherent in science; they did this with lead in paint, tobacco, and climate change. They sow seeds of doubt even though they do not have the evidence to support their conclusions.
Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/pesticides-killing-bees-study-shows-what-everybodys-suspected-20150826#ixzz3k8E5XNXX
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook
"The USGS study simply says that these chemicals are found in half the streams we've sampled. The USGS is a scientific body and they're very careful, but I think it does add to a huge body of evidence – for instance, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with their meta-analysis of 800 studies showing that these chemicals are really a problem for pollinators and other beneficial insects, and they're a huge problem for aquatic insects. Neonics are easily transported from soil into water, and they're very toxic to aquatic organisms that make up the base of the food chain for fish and for the birds who eat the insects. What's really interesting is that there are almost no studies coming out that are saying these chemicals are safe. "
What about the chemical companies?
As each new study says this is continuing to be a problem, it does get harder for the chemical companies to say that this isn't a problem. They'll always point to the uncertainties inherent in science; they did this with lead in paint, tobacco, and climate change. They sow seeds of doubt even though they do not have the evidence to support their conclusions.
Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/pesticides-killing-bees-study-shows-what-everybodys-suspected-20150826#ixzz3k8E5XNXX
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook
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