A recent study has unveiled a concerning trend: a staggering 80% of Americans have tested positive for a toxic pesticide, chlormequat, commonly found in grain-based foods such as Quaker Oats and Cheerios.
This pesticide has been linked to a host of health issues, including delayed puberty, infertility, and altered fetal growth.
The study, conducted by the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology and published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), has raised alarm bells. It reveals that the use of chlormequat chloride, a plant growth regulator, is on the rise in North America. The research indicates that exposure to chlormequat, even at dosages below the acceptable daily consumption levels set by regulatory bodies, could potentially harm developing fetuses and reduce fertility.
The study analyzed urine samples collected from US residents between 2017 and 2022. While these samples showed low quantities of chlormequat, the samples from 2023 revealed significantly higher concentrations of the pesticide. The study found that in 2023, 90% of individuals tested positive for the pesticide, a sharp increase from 74% between 2018 and 2022, and 69% in 2017.
The EWG report states that the highest detection frequencies of chlormequat were found in oat-based foods. The US federal government permits this "highly toxic agricultural chemical" to be imported and used on oats and other grains. The EWG explains that applying chlormequat to grain and oat crops alters plant growth, preventing it from bending over and thus facilitating harvesting.
The report reveals, "We detected the chemical in 92 percent of oat-based foods purchased in May 2023, including Quaker Oats and Cheerios." General Mills produces Cheerios, while PepsiCo is responsible for Quaker Oats.
The EWG also tested organic oat-based products for the presence of the pesticide. Only one of the seven organic samples contained low levels of chlormequat. This high frequency of positive tests suggests that Americans are regularly exposed to chlormequat, which typically leaves the body within 24 hours, according to the EWG.
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