In 2024, the world's population will be more than 8 billion, which could increase by about 71 million people per year. As the population increases, The demand for food is also increasing. The use of pesticides is a solution to reduce yield losses from various pests, such as weeds or insects that destroy crops, which account for about 1/3 of agricultural production. Use insecticides in the cultivation process.

Pesticides decompose on their own, but they can take hours, days, or even years, depending on a variety of factors such as temperature, humidity, etc. Soil plinth Sunlight intensity, etc. Pesticides are therefore residual in the environment. It is found in water, soil, and air, where pesticide residues can travel long distances. From water to air, it goes through evaporation or seeps into the soil through leaching. It can also harm plants, animals and insects that are beneficial to agriculture, including humans. In some areas, residues in fruits and vegetables exceed the food contamination standards recommended by the World Health Organization, and a study has found that chemical residues in kale in China exceed the WHO standard by 71%.

Global warming has led to an increase in the use of pesticides. Weed growth The migration of insect pests as well as various plant diseases has changed, making it more difficult to predict. It is more difficult to use specific pesticides, which may lead to an increase in pesticide consumption.

As consumers, we can reduce our exposure to pesticides through As follows:

1. Rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly with running water. Gently scrub to help reduce chemicals on the surface of fruits and vegetables, but not all residues can be removed.
2. Peel or trim the outer part of fruits and vegetables to reduce exposure to pesticides and reduce the consumption of animal skin and fat because pesticides often accumulate in fat.
3. Seasonal fruits are consumed due to the cultivation of crops that are not suitable for the climate. This makes it even more necessary to use pesticides to increase yields.
4. Eat a variety of foods In addition to receiving complete nutrients, there is no accumulation of a single pesticide, resulting in the amount of toxicity in the body.
5. Shop for agricultural products that are labeled as non-pesticide for cultivation to ensure food safety and support non-pesticide agricultural practices. 

Due toWorld Food Day 2024 We would like to be a part of the Safe Food Campaign. To be healthy today and continue to be healthy tomorrow. This year's theme is "Safe food today for a healthy tomorrow".

References

1. Tudi M, Daniel Ruan H, Wang L, Lyu J, Sadler R, Connell D, Chu C, Phung DT. Agriculture development, pesticide application and its impact on the environment. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2021 Feb;18(3):1112.
2. Environmental protection agency (EPA). Pesticides and Food: Healthy, Sensible Food Practices [Internet]. 2024 [cited 4 Sep 2024]. Available from: https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/pesticides-and-food-healthy-sensible-food-practices