Better Living
Through Chemicals
August 25th, 2016
Dr Joseph A Schwarcz
AgriNews
Selected And Adapted Excerpts
The Wisdom of Schwarcz ― Better Living Through Chemicals
The Facts And The Myths
The Presence Of Chemicals Does Not
Equate To The Presence Of Risk
Pest Control Products And Chemicals
Are Widely Misunderstood
Scientists Are Able To Analyze Data
Down To The Parts Per Trillion Level
The Amount Of Pest Control Product
Detected In Apples Is Nowhere Near
The Amount Thought To Be Dangerous
If scientist Dr Joe Schwarcz could communicate one point about chemicals to the public, it would be this ― THE PRESENCE OF CHEMICALS DOES NOT EQUATE TO THE PRESENCE OF RISK.
Dr Schwarcz, Director of the Office of Science and Society at McGill University, said PESTICIDES AND CHEMICALS ARE WIDELY MISUNDERSTOOD.
He discussed THE FACTS AND THE MYTHS at the U.S. Grains Council summer meeting in 2016 ―
Every year, we hear news about the dangers of pesticides.
They say when you’re eating an apple, you may be eating up to 30 different pesticides. [ ?!?! ]
What is true is that there are that many pesticides registered for use on apples.
No farmer would ever use that many.
Farmers may use two or three, and they test to see what pests are in their area.
Pesticides are expensive, and they want to use as little as possible.
Today, SCIENTISTS ARE ABLE TO ANALYZE DATA DOWN TO THE PARTS PER TRILLION LEVEL.
THE AMOUNT OF PEST CONTROL PRODUCT DETECTED IN APPLES IS NOWHERE NEAR THE AMOUNT THOUGHT TO BE DANGEROUS, Dr Schwarcz said.
The Wisdom of Schwarcz ― Better Living Through Chemicals
Public Perceptions
Scientists Are Not Popular
In The Eyes Of The Public
The Word Chemical Has Become
Synonymous With Toxic
The Public Looks For A
Chemical-Free Existence
The Truth Is That Nothing In
The World Is Chemical-Free
Dr Schwarcz also pointed out that SCIENTISTS ARE NOT POPULAR IN THE EYES OF THE PUBLIC.
According to Dr Schwarcz ―
People think that chemists are evil people locked up in a laboratory somewhere, thinking about what new cancer-causing pesticide to unleash on an unsuspecting public.
This is the unfortunate mindset out there.
THE WORD CHEMICAL HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH TOXIC.
People worry about chemicals and are frightened when they hear the word.
It leads to confusion.
People become disoriented and don’t know who to listen to.
THEY LOOK FOR A CHEMICAL-FREE EXISTENCE.
THE TRUTH IS THAT NOTHING IN THE WORLD IS CHEMICAL-FREE, Dr Schwarcz said.
Chemicals are the building blocks of all matter.
The only thing that is chemical-free is a vacuum.
But labeling products as chemical-free sells, because that’s what people want.
According to Dr Schwarcz ―
Chemicals are not to be feared, they’re not to be worshipped — they’re to be understood.
And that’s what we try to do.
Our challenge is to demystify science for the public, to try and make sure that people are updated on what happens in the world of science.
We hope to foster critical thinking, and separate sense from nonsense.
The Wisdom of Schwarcz ― Better Living Through Chemicals
Pesticide Risks
Pest Control Products
Can Pose Risks
But The Benefits Quite
Possibly Outweigh The Risks
People often ask Dr Schwarcz if pest control products are dangerous.
His answer is that it depends on the context and how it was used.
According to Dr Schwarcz ―
The truth is that pesticides are inherently dangerous.
You want to kill off pests and weeds.
So you do want to keep out of there when pesticides are sprayed.
Pesticides can be a potential problem.
They have to be used safely.
And they aren’t used safely everywhere.
You need the proper equipment and need to be properly trained.
There are many cases of people who can’t or don’t read the label and don’t understand that the chemical must be diluted.
In [ North ] America, careful instructions are provided for the farmer to follow, Dr Schwarcz said.
But no matter how careful you are, there always are risks.
While scientists can determine acute effects of pesticides, it is not so easy to determine the effect of small-scale exposure over time.
According to Dr Schwarcz ―
The documentation to get a pesticide registered takes years.
Research takes years, and then data is submitted.
No matter what or how many studies you do, you cannot guarantee that something will be safe.
We can easily determine acute effects, but subtle, chronic effects are a different matter.
We get some insight into it when pesticides are out there and you learn about what it may do to the environment.
Through Dr Schwarcz’s eyes, the moral of the story is this ― PESTICIDES CAN POSE RISKS.
BUT THE BENEFITS QUITE POSSIBLY OUTWEIGH THEM.
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The Wisdom of a REAL Expert
Dr Schwarcz’s Biography
Dr Joseph A Schwarcz is among several LEADING EXPERTS who have recognized expertise, training and background in matters concerning pest control products.
He is the Director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society.
Dr Schwarcz teaches a variety of courses in McGill’s Chemistry Department and in the Faculty of Medicine with emphasis on health issues, including aspects of Alternative Medicine.
He is well known for his informative and entertaining public lectures on topics ranging from the chemistry of love to the science of aging.
Using stage magic to make scientific points is one of his specialties.
Dr Schwarcz has received numerous awards for teaching chemistry and for interpreting science for the public.
Among these are the Royal Society of Canada’s McNeil Award and the American Chemical Society’s prestigious Grady-Stack Award.
Previous winners of the Grady-Stack have included famed science writer Isaac Asimov, New York Times columnist Walter Sullivan and Don Herbert of TV’s « Mr Wizard » fame.
Dr Schwarcz is the only non-American ever to be honored with this prize.
His latest awards include the Royal Canadian Institute’s Sandford Fleming Medal, the Society of Chemical Industry’s Purvis Award, and the Chemical Institute of Canada’s Montreal Medal.
Dr Schwarcz has appeared as « Dr Joe » hundreds of times on the Canadian Discovery Channel, TV Ontario, Global Television, CBC-TV, CTV-TV, and various radio stations.
Dr Schwarcz hosts the « Dr Joe Show » on Montreal’s CJAD Radio every Sunday from 3 to 4 PM.
He also hosted « Science To Go », a series on the Discovery Channel that focused on common foods.
Dr Schwarcz writes a weekly newspaper column in the Montreal Gazette entitled « The Right Chemistry », as well as a monthly column in Canadian Chemical News.
He was the chief consultant on the Reader’s Digest best sellers « Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal » and « The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs », and contributed the chemistry chapter to the best-selling « Mental Floss ».
His books « Radar, Hula Hoops and Playful Pigs », « The Genie in the Bottle », « That’s The Way The Cookie Crumbles », « Dr Joe and What You Didn’t Know », « The Fly in the Ointment », « Let Them Eat Flax », « Brain Fuel », « An Apple A Day », « Science, Sense and Nonsense », « Dr Joe’s Brain Sparks », and his latest, « Dr Joe’s Health Lab » have all been BEST SELLERS.
The books have been translated into eleven languages and are sold around the world.
In November of 2011 the McGill Office for Science and Society under Dr Schwarcz’s directorship received the largest gift ever in Canadian history, 5.5 million dollars, from philanthropist Lorne Trottier to further its work in promoting scientific education and critical thinking.
Dr Schwarcz is one of the nation’s MOST PROMINENT AND KNOWLEDGEABLE SPOKESMEN on the subject of pest control products.
The Wisdom of a REAL Expert
The Whole Truth About DR SCHWARCZ Can Be Explored On The Pesticide Truths Web-Site …
SCHWARCZ — THE WISDOM OF REAL EXPERTS WHO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE CONSPIRACY TO IMPOSE RECKLESS AND ARBITRARY PROHIBITION AGAINST CONVENTIONAL PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS ( Blog )
SCHWARCZ — WE NEED RATIONAL DISCUSSION ABOUT PESTICIDES, WITHOUT RHETORIC — UNSCIENTIFIC FEAR-MONGERING BY DR OZ — 2,4-D — GLYPHOSATE — AGENT ORANGE — ENLIST DUO ( Blogs )
SCHWARCZ — PESTICIDE PATROL ON FARMERS BETTER LEFT TO HEALTH CANADA — PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND ( Blogs )
SCHWARCZ — HOW TOXIC ARE THE TOXINS THAT SURROUND US ?!?! ( Reports )
Background Information
The Wisdom Of REAL Experts
There are NO anti-pesticide activists who are scientists or researchers or experts with credentials in the field of pest control products.
They are THE LEAST QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE ANY ADVICE about pest control products.
ANY PROHIBITION against pest control products is NOT supported by any of North America’s respected and highly rated scientific and policy experts.
The following LEADING EXPERTS have recognized expertise, training, and background in matters concerning pest control products.
These EXPERTS have publicly stated, in one form or another, that pest control products are SCIENTIFICALLY-SAFE ―
• Dr Bruce Nathan AMES • Dr Josh BLOOM • Mr Steven E BOULTBEE • Mr Nigel BOWLES • Dr Bruce BRANHAM • Mr Rob BREAKENRIDGE • Dr James S BUS • Mr Doug CHORNEY • MPP Ted CHUDLEIGH • Ms Jacquie DOHERTY • Dr William Richard Shaboe DOLL • Juris Dr Paul K DRIESSEN • Mr Art C DRYSDALE • Dr J Gordon EDWARDS • Dr Allan S FELSOT • Dr Ernesto GUZMAN • Mr Ron HALL • Mr Lindsay HANSON • Dr Lorne HEPWORTH • MPP Randy HILLIER • Dr Angela HOFSTRA • Mr John J HOLLAND • MPP Tim HUDAK • Dr Geoffrey C KABAT • Ms Doreen LAYMAN • Mr Brian LILLEY • Mr Jeffrey P LOWES • Mr Howard MAINS • Mr Ted MENZIES • Dr Mike MERCHANT • Juris Dr Steven J MILLOY • Mr David MONTGOMERY • Mr Todd MYERS • Mr Randy OLIVER • Mr Pierre PETELLE • Dr Leonard RITTER • Dr Gilbert L ROSS • Dr Joseph A SCHWARCZ • Dr Cynthia SCOTT-DUPREE • Dr Keith Ross SOLOMON • Dr Gerald R STEPHENSON • Dr Clayton M SWITZER • Mr Peter Shawn TAYLOR • Mr Simon E TAYLOR • Mr Lee TOWNSEND • Mr Paul VISENTIN • Dr Katharine T VON STACKELBERG • Professor Rob WAGER • Dr Elizabeth M WHELAN • Dr Joel WOOD • The 350 Expert Scientists At Health Canada • The 1000s Of Expert Scientists At U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • The Industry Task Force II On 2,4-D Research Data • Uncle Adolph & Pesticide Truths • WILLIAM H GATHERCOLE AND NORAHG & Force Of Nature.
The risk assessment of conventional pest control products indicates that they are scientifically-safe, and, when used properly, will NOT cause harm to children, people, animals, or the environment.
Reports Concerning Conventional Pest Control Products ―
https://pesticidetruths.com/toc/children-are-not-at-risk/
Background Information
The Whole Truth About REAL EXPERTS Can Be Explored On The Pesticide Truths Web-Site …
THE WISDOM OF REAL EXPERTS — EXPERTS WHO SPEAK OUT AGAINST PROHIBITION — REMEMBRANCE DAY ( Blog )
THE WISDOM OF REAL EXPERTS — SPEAKING OUT AGAINST ANTI-PESTICIDE TERRORISM — HEROES ( Web-Page )
https://pesticidetruths.com/toc/heroes-speaking-out-against-anti-pesticide-terror/
THE WISDOM OF REAL EXPERTS — WHITE PAPER REPORT ON PESTICIDE BANS — THE MYTHS ABOUT BANNING PESTICIDES ( PART 2 ) — THE WISDOM OF REAL EXPERTS — HEROES SPEAKING OUT AGAINST ANTI-PESTICIDE TERRORISM ( Reports )
WITH CAPS AND WITH REFERENCES ―
PESTICIDE TRUTHS REPORT ―
THE WISDOM OF REAL EXPERTS — THE HEROES OF THE GREEN SPACE INDUSTRY — REMEMBRANCE DAY — REPORT CARD — FAILURES ( Report )
