Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

appal_jack

(3,813 posts)

20. All true points.

Reply to yellowcanine (Reply #19)

Fri Apr 29, 2016, 08:49 AM

Apr 2016

Farm worker safety is important stuff, on any farm, organic or conventional.

At the small market garden I raise, I don't hire out any work. But even if I did, I'd keep the (very rare) spraying of organic pesticides as work I did myself. And even if I grew beyond that point some day, I would never ask a woman who might be pregnant to spray anything at all.

Your point about the immediate toxicity of certain natural compounds (rotenone and nicotine definitely included) is well-taken. The one difference that seems to hold up though is that synthetic chemicals have a much higher likelihood of persistence, bioaccumulation, and long-term effects on non-target organisms in even trace amounts.

-app

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

30 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Organic Pesticides. Yes, They Do Exist, And Are Used. [View all] HuckleB Apr 2016 OP

I recall reading that there's a bit of a turf war. Wilms Apr 2016 #1

That argument, of course, points out the reality that "organic" is just a marketing term. HuckleB Apr 2016 #2

The small farmers, you, and I agree. Wilms Apr 2016 #6

Regardless, it's always been just a marketing term. HuckleB Apr 2016 #8

Also conventional produce gets exported and magically imported back as "organic." yellowcanine Apr 2016 #4

Eek! Wilms Apr 2016 #7

Scams may beget scams. HuckleB Apr 2016 #16

Nicotine is very toxic to humans. Rotenone is somewhat toxic. yellowcanine Apr 2016 #3

Luckily, rotenone is not really used any more. HuckleB Apr 2016 #5

Nicotine has been banned for at least 14 years appal_jack Apr 2016 #18

All I can tell you is that there are many warnings about Neem and pregnancy yellowcanine Apr 2016 #19

All true points. appal_jack Apr 2016 #20

The persistence of synthetic pesticides is correct. The flip side of that is that organic yellowcanine Apr 2016 #21

There is also the issue of fuel use and pollution for each added application of organic products. HuckleB Apr 2016 #24

Just yesterday I saw the only real difference, between "organic" and others. Archae Apr 2016 #9

Corporate marketing, at its ugliest. HuckleB Apr 2016 #10

Like to get me some of that GMO chicken.... yellowcanine Apr 2016 #14

It's CRISPR! HuckleB Apr 2016 #15

Pyrethroids are derivatives of the chrysanthemum Drahthaardogs Apr 2016 #11

All good and well, the LD50 is still not better than for things like glyphosate or Imidacloprid. HuckleB Apr 2016 #12

Pyrethroids are synthetic pyrethrins. yellowcanine Apr 2016 #13

Most synthetic pesticides are derived from naturally occurring ones Major Nikon Apr 2016 #22

. HuckleB Apr 2016 #17

Save the Bees! Ban these two toxic organic pesticides immediately HuckleB Apr 2016 #23

Natural versus Synthetic Chemicals Is a Gray Matter HuckleB Apr 2016 #25

It's a marketing gimmick based on an appeal to nature fallacy Major Nikon Apr 2016 #28

Alas, you are correct on all accounts. -eom- HuckleB Apr 2016 #30

The term "organic pesticides" will confuse the hell out of everybody struggle4progress Apr 2016 #26

All true, but in this era it's well understood via the mass marketing of "organic" food. HuckleB Apr 2016 #27

Two different definitions Major Nikon Apr 2016 #29