The Human Imprint

Fruit and vegetables have 'unacceptable' levels of pesticides

The Telegraph has reported on the findings of the Pesticides Residues Committee, part of the Health and Safety Executive, after testing more than 4,000 samples of food and drink.The article states that:

"The levels of pesticides varied considerably, with imported fruit and vegetables tending to have higher levels, according to its 2008 annual report. One in 7 beans in a pod one in 25 fresh peas (in pods) and one in five yams all had pesticides above the allowed level. One in 70 apples and pears had illegal levels of pesticides.

The Food Standards Agency insisted the illegal levels did not necessarily mean that the food was unsafe to eat, and pointed out that the overall levels of pesticides in food had fallen over the last year. In 2007 1.8 per cent of food had illegal levels; 2008 it had fallen to 1.2 per cent".

Soil quality - key to UK food production

There has been much debate in the last few days about the quality of UK soils and the long term impact on food production. This is a critical issue - check out our sister blog - Poultry Discussion

The Guardian reports that over two million tonnes of topsoil from farms and forests is being eroded by wind and rain each year in the UK. These needs to be addressed if we want to produce food at our current levels or increase production. We take soil for granted at our peril.

Water on the moon

National Geographic  reports that there are signs of water on the moon. This is an incredible development and I am sure paves the way for further research.

Post-Chernobyl monitoring reports published

The UK FSA has issued a press release on the 2008 monitoring reports for radioactivity on farms following the Chernobyl incident. The release states that:

"In 1986, an accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the former USSR (now Ukraine) released large quantities of radioactivity into the atmosphere. Some of this was deposited on certain upland areas of the UK where sheep are farmed.

In order to protect the health of consumers, restrictions were placed on the movement and sale of sheep from areas of the UK where contamination levels in sheep meat were over 1,000 Becquerels (a measure of radioactivity) per kilogram (Bq/kg) – the safety limit set in 1986.

Live sheep are monitored using a hand-held radiation monitor pressed against them. This gives a count rate that relates to a radioactivity concentration in Bq/kg. To allow for variability in live monitoring results, a pass mark is used to ensure there is only a 1 in 40 chance of a sheep above the limit giving a monitor reading below the limit.

In 1986, almost 9,000 farms were under restriction in the UK. Since then, the levels of radioactivity in sheep meat have fallen and the number of farms still under restriction is now 369, of which over 95% are located in north Wales.

The Agency is continuing to undertake further surveys to ensure that other farms can be released from restrictions when the levels of radioactivity in sheep are within safety limits".

Although it is twenty-three years since the nuclear accident it is concerning that there are still over 350 farms under restriction because of the high radiation levels.

CSIRO report quashes expectations of a northern food bowl

Ausfoodnews reports water resources are not capable of making the northern regions of Australia the new food bowl of South-East Asia. This is according to a new study from the CSIRO. The report states that: "There has been great hope for northern Australia to become the new hub of agricultural activity in the nation as drought continues to hamper a number of leading agricultural regions in NSW, Victoria and South Australia. However, the CSIRO has dampened such plans with a new study showing this area to be “water limited” thanks to high evaporation rates and a lack of rainfall for six months of the year". Follow the link to find out more.

Wind power 'could cut China's emissions by 30%'

The Guardian reports on a recent study in Science that suggests that China could cut its CO2 emissions by 30% in the next two decades if it uses wind power to meet its growing energy demands.

It is estimated China will need to increase its capacity by 800 gigawatts by 2030 to meet demand – roughly double its current capacity. Currently 80% of China's electricity is produced by coal fired power plants so if there was a focus on wind power China's emissions of carbon dioxide could be 30% lower.

As growth continues in China it means that hundreds of coal-fired power plants need to be built every year to keep pace with demand.

"China plans to build seven large wind-power bases over the next decade, and already ranks fourth in the world in terms of installed capacity, at 12.2 gigawatts – about equal to the energy produced by two dozen average-sized coal-fired plants. It trails only the US, Germany and Spain in installed capacity, but not all of those turbines are hooked up to the electricity grid. In fact, just 0.4% of China's electricity is supplied by wind – or around 3 gigawatts". Follow the link to find out more.

E.coli 0157 in Surrey

I have been following the E.coli 0157 outbreak in Surrey for the last week or so. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported yesterday that the total number of cases of E Coli O157 linked to Godstone Farm in Surrey is 76. Five children remain in hospital all of whom are described today as stable or improving. None are seriously ill. This is a doubling of cases in just over a week. The E.coli alert has closed four farms across the UK.

Deadly floods in US

Half a metre of rain has fallen in Georgia in just a few days and at least nine people have died. Check out the video on Scientific American. Flooded pumping stations dumped sewage into the Chattahoochee River when they were overwhelmed with rising water again the video gives a real impression of the impact.

Wells polluted by agricultural run-off in US

The New York Times reports that in Morrison,Wisconsin more than 100 wells were polluted by agricultural runoff within just a few months. This led to  residents suffering from diahorrea, stomach illnesses and severe ear infections. The article states that: "There are 41,000 dairy cows in Brown County, which includes Morrison, and they produce more than 260 million gallons of manure each year, much of which is spread on nearby grain fields. Other farmers receive fees to cover their land with slaughterhouse waste and treated sewage." The article further suggests that

"Agricultural runoff is the single largest source of water pollution in the nation’s rivers and streams, according to the E.P.A. An estimated 19.5 million Americans fall ill each year from waterborne parasites, viruses or bacteria, including those stemming from human and animal waste, according to a study published last year in the scientific journal Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology." Check out the full article

Pollution incident in Indian river

Scientific American carries a video on the impact of chemical pollution in the Yamuna River right beside the Taj Mahal. Thousands of fish have died. Check it out.