Until now, there seems to
be no one who can beat the prestige of pesticides as the most effective pest
control agent. On the other hand, it cannot be denied that the effects of
pesticides on health.
The American Association
of Cancer Research reports long-term pesticide exposure increases the risk of
liver cancer by 71 percent. Not terrible enough for you?
Well, a recent study
found the potential effects of pesticides on the risk of heart disease.
The risk of coronary heart disease increases 5-fold due to the effects of pesticides
The study by the Hispanic
Community Health Study which is a joint team of experts from the University of
Illinois and the University of Miami found that people who are often exposed to
pesticides in the long run have a 5-fold increased risk of coronary heart
disease than those with lighter exposure levels or not at all.
This risk finding was
obtained after the team experienced the effects of pesticides on nearly 7,000
adults aged 18-74 years from four major cities in the United States (Chicago,
San Diego, Miami, and Bronx in New York) whose work involved regular use of
pesticides .
The researchers also
evaluated the health history of each participant, including the recording of
drug use, blood pressure, and electrical signal activity in the heart as
measured by the ECG.
What is the reason?
Coronary heart disease
occurs due to a blockage of plaque in the arteries. This blockage causes blood
flow from and to the heart to be not smooth so that the heart muscles slowly no
longer function because they do not receive oxygen and nutrients.
Common symptoms of CHD
are chest pain, difficulty breathing, body fatigue, pain in the arms and jaw,
severe dizziness, and heavy sweating. When the heart muscle can no longer pump
blood properly, it risks causing a heart attack or even sudden death from heart
failure.
Common causes are aging,
high blood pressure and weak heart muscle. So what is the connection with
exposure to pesticides?
Until now research continues to explore the relationship between the effects of pesticides on heart function. However, there are several theories that make sense according to Dr. Michael Ghalchi, a heart health expert at Manhattan Cardiovascular Associates.
Until now research continues to explore the relationship between the effects of pesticides on heart function. However, there are several theories that make sense according to Dr. Michael Ghalchi, a heart health expert at Manhattan Cardiovascular Associates.
"Pesticides cause
the body to respond to inflammation and oxidative stress. Both are risk factors
that increase heart disease, "explained Ghalchi.
"Secondly, chemicals such as pesticides can directly poison the heart muscle, thus preventing it from contracting normally and disrupting the heart's electrical system," he added.
"Secondly, chemicals such as pesticides can directly poison the heart muscle, thus preventing it from contracting normally and disrupting the heart's electrical system," he added.
In addition to heart
disease, exposure to pesticides can also affect the formation of blood clots
(coagulation) in the vessels. This condition can increase the risk of stroke.
Who is at risk for this condition?
Pesticides are not like
vehicle smoke pollution, so exposure only occurs in certain environments.
Based on research, people
who are vulnerable to being exposed to pesticides are farmers or workers on
plantations.
Pesticide exposure
usually occurs due to a lack of adequate work safety equipment, such as the use
of uniforms, masks, and appropriate respirators. The use of this safety device
can filter poisons and prevent inhaled pesticides. In addition, routine
cardiovascular health checks should be taken as a preventive and monitoring
measure.
In addition to exposure, pesticides can also leave a residue on the fruits or vegetables you eat. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the bad effects of pesticides are likely to cause cancer (carcinogenic), damage to the brain (neurotoxic), or problems in the fetus (teratogenic).
For this reason, there is
a maximum limit on the use of pesticides so that the amount of pesticide
residue in food is very small and the effect is not detrimental to health.
It is difficult to
monitor pesticide residues in food, because most of you buy them in the market
or supermarket. So, you need to wash fruits and vegetables with running water
until they are clean.
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