ASSESING PESTICIDE RESIDUES

Archipelagos conducts research on pesticide residues in order to assess the health and environmental effects caused by the use (and mainly overuse) of pesticides and herbicides in farming practices and to inform consumers and farmers about the effects. With the results of our analyses, we carry out informational campaigns on the health hazards of pesticides with the aim to encourage farmers to choose organic methods instead of using chemical pesticides and herbicides. We also try to encourage consumers to demand organic and safe products from producers and sellers.

The Archipelagos laboratory team is collecting samples from olive groves, vineyards, vegetable gardens and greenhouses. Samples are collected and analysed from the main crops, the produced goods (e.g. wine and oil), the surrounding vegetation growing on the ground and the soil.

These samples are then sent to the University of Athens, Department of Analytical Chemistry, as well as to the University of Oradea, Faculty of Environment Protection (Romania) for analyses of their content of pesticide residues.

On the Greek islands, traditional farmers utilise organic practices and only since a few decades ago have chemical pesticides been introduced. Farmers on smaller islands, like Ikaria and Lipsi, use chemical pesticides sparingly, as the majority of locals grow farm products primarily for home use and on a much smaller scale for market or commercial use. However, on the larger islands, like Crete and Samos, extensive pesticide usage is more severe and exceeds safety limits, thereby exposing farmers, consumers and the surrounding natural habitats to significant dangers.

In recent years, there has been a slow but steady shift by a small proportion of farmers on these islands toward organic farming. But, a lot of work is still needed for progress to be made on a large scale.

Pesticide usage in the Aegean and their effects on humans

Archipelagos’ research database includes information about the active substances of 36 pesticides, 22 fungicides, 16 herbicides and four plant regulating substances, which are mainly being used on the islands.

The majority of these pesticides and herbicides are toxic to humans and other mammals, birds, insects and marine organisms, causing severe damage or even death. Independent studies have also shown that they may contain carcinogenic, teratogenic or reproductive effects.

Chemicals also accumulate in the food chain and into plants and soil and through these processes travel long distances from the places where they were originally used.

Some of the common effects of pesticides, fungicides and herbicides on humans include: irritation to the skin and eyes, headaches, respiratory effects, changes to eating habits, anorexia, diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, depression, low memory, concentration, nervous excitement, tremors, convulsions, birth defects and delayed growth, Parkinson’s disease and even death. It has also been shown to effect reproductive systems, mainly in women, being particularly dangerous during the time of pregnancy. Such effects have been shown to impact farmers where there is excessive pesticides use; unfortunately, protective measures are usually not taken.

Analysing Pesticides and their Effects in Soil

The use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers disturb the balance of microbes and nutrients in soil, thereby degrading soil quality. Long term exposure can cause the soil to become completely degraded and unusable for agricultural production. Chemical fertilizers are used to nourish plants, but they also end up working to destroy the soil microbial fauna and degrade soil quality. Acidification and neutralization of the soil, caused by such fertilizers, can be very destructive for microbes, which are often dependent on a sole enzyme. Only a very specific pH level can force enzymes to be active. Changes in pH levels moderate enzyme reactions, which can, as a result cause microbes to enter a resting or encysting state or die from lack of nourishment.

Pesticide usage can also have the adverse effect of making certain insects resistant to the applied chemicals and they can destroy many useful species that help retain natural balances in the soil-based populations.
 
Vegetable microbial content

The Archipelagos laboratory team is also assessing E.coli contamination in fresh vegetables and fruits, as this bacterium is a very specific indicator of fecal contamination. This study is being carried out in order to ensure that proper hygiene rules in food handling are being respected.

The microbiologic analyses are carried out using the pertrifilm technique (AOAC International official method of Analysis Method 991.14).