Organic and Pesticides

What federal act created the National Organic Program?

The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990.

Which federal agency oversees organic certification and standards?

The USDA through the National Organic Program (NOP).

What is the role of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)?

To advise the USDA and NOP on allowed/disallowed substances and practices

Name four synthetic pesticide categories and their mechanisms.

Organophosphates & carbamates: inhibit AChE;
Pyrethroids: block sodium channels;
Phenoxy herbicides: cause uncontrolled plant growth;
Triazines: inhibit photosynthesis

What is acute exposure?

Short-term, high-level exposure that causes immediate health effects

What is chronic exposure?

Long-term, low-level exposure that may lead to cancer, reproductive issues, or neurotoxicity

Which pesticide cannot be washed off produce?

Neonicotinoids

What are examples of health effects from pesticide exposure?

Asthma, cancer, neurodevelopmental changes, decreased cognitive function, behavioral problems

Which herbicide is most commonly used in the U.S.?

2,4-D (a phenoxy herbicide)

What foods are on the Dirty Dozen list?

Strawberries, spinach, kale, mustard greens, peaches, pears, nectarines, apples, grapes, bell/hot peppers, cherries, blueberries, green beans

How do we study pesticide effects on humans?

Through residue analysis, biomarker measurement, diet change experiments, and long-term epidemiological studies

What act resulted in the decline of organophosphates?

The Food Quality Protection Act of 1996

What are the requirements for organic animal products?

No hormones/antibiotics, 100% organic feed, and access to outdoors.

What is the Precautionary Principle?

A policy approach to avoid potential harm even without full scientific certainty

Does organic food cost more? If so, how much?

Yes, on average 47% more than conventional food.

How has the USDA improved pesticide monitoring?

Through the Pesticide Data Program (1991) and the National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals.

What is melamine and how was it misused?

A high-nitrogen compound used in plastics, added illegally to food to fake protein content (e.g., 2008 Chinese milk scandal).

What does the 2018 Farm Bill do for organics?

Increases funding for the National Organic Program.

Is the health benefit of eating fruits and vegetables worth the pesticide risk?

Yes, the benefits outweigh the risks—especially if choosing organic where possible

How long must a farm use organic practices before certification?

Three years.

What enzyme do organophosphates and carbamates inhibit, and what is the consequence?

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE); inhibition causes overstimulation of nerve cells, leading to neurotoxicity.

What is the primary action of pyrethroid pesticides on nerve cells?

They prevent the closure of voltage-gated sodium channels, resulting in constant nerve excitation (axonic excitotoxins).

How do phenoxy herbicides kill plants?

By mimicking plant growth hormones, causing rapid, uncontrolled growth that leads to death

What is the mechanism of action for triazine herbicides like atrazine?

They inhibit photosynthesis by binding to the D-1 protein in the chloroplast's electron transport chain.

Which pesticide types have increased in use since the decline of organophosphates due to the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996?

Pyrethroids and neonicotinoids.

How does an organic diet impact urinary pesticide levels?

It significantly reduces urinary pesticide biomarkers in children and adults (Hyland study)

What long-term outcomes are associated with prenatal BPA exposure?

Tumor development, obesity and metabolic changes, and neurodevelopmental alterations.

Describe the criteria used for approval as USDA Organic

No synthetic fertilizers/pesticides, non GMO, no irradiation/sewage sludge, animal welfare standards (100% organic feed, access to outdoors, no antibiotics/growth hormones), support soil conservation, crop rotation, ecological balance. 

Describe how tolerance levels for pesticides are determined

EPA establishes pesticide tolerance levels. (1) determine No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) (2) evaluates residues across all food diet

All of the following are not permitted to be used in a certified organic farming operation, except for which one? Select one answer.

Organic Pesticides

Which of the following is the mechanism of action of organophosphates (OP)? Select one answer

nerve agent

True or False. Consuming a diet of primarily organic foods has benefits in reducing pesticide exposure, reducing environmental impact, and meaningfully higher nutritional benefits.

false

True or False. People who eat organic fruits and vegetables have more organophosphates in their bodies.

false

True or False. Washing and/or peeling your produce will remove some pesticide residue, but not necessarily all of it.

true

Organophosphates, one of the most widely used type of insecticides in the United States, have been shown to have toxic effects on people who are directly exposed to them, such as farmworkers. Which of the following is NOT a harmful effect of organophosphate exposure? Please select one

Long-term effects such as obesity and diabetes.

Fumigants (e.g., methyl bromide, chloropicrin) are pesticides that are applied to kill pests in order to produce food. Which one is NOT a property of fumigants? Select one answer

They end up in food in amounts equal to pesticides that are sprayed on foods.

True or False. The US Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation have adequate data on the combination of the pesticides to which people are actually exposed.

false

"Organic" is a legally defined term with strict criteria governing what products can be certified as organic. Which of the following criteria are part of the legal definition? Select all that apply. (Hint: there are four correct answers.)

Produced without synthetic fertilizers.

Food animals cannot be treated with hormones or antibiotics.

Produced without sewage sludge.

Farms must demonstrate organic practices for 3 years and be inspected annually.

You read a review article (Mie et. al) about the human health implications of organic food and organic agriculture. Which of the following were conclusions from that comprehensive review? Select the ONE correct response

The evidence is inconclusive (due to residual confounding) that organic food consumption may reduce the risk of allergic disease and of overweight and obesity.

Organic dairy products have a higher content of omega-3 fatty acids as compared with conventional products. However, these differences are likely of marginal nutritional significance because these represent only a minor source of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet.

Antibiotic use is less intensive in organic production and this is an important contribution to a future sustainable food system.

Epidemiological studies have reported adverse effects of certain pesticides on children’s cognitive development at current levels of exposure. Consumers of organic food have a comparatively low dietary exposure to pesticides.

Animal experiments suggest that, as compared with conventional feed, identically composed organic feed has positive effects on animal growth and development, including their immune systems.

True or False: The direct relevance of these findings for human health is unclear because similar studies have not been conducted in humans

true

True or False. Neonicotinoids are among the most commonly reported pesticide residues found in infant and toddler foods, yet little is known about the health effects of chronic low-dose exposure to these insecticides. (Hint: See Hyland et. al article)

true